DX LISTENING DIGEST 11-47, November 23, 2011 Incorporating REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING edited by Glenn Hauser, http://www.worldofradio.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits For restrixions and searchable 2011 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn WORLD OF RADIO 1592 HEADLINES: *DX and station news about: Afghanistan, Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, France, Germany, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kashmir, Koreas, Madagascar, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Ukraine, USA, Yemen SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1592, November 24-30, 2011 [Note: WRMI is no longer on SW 9955 between 15 and 23 UT M-F, altho webcasts continue; and remains 24h on weekends] Thu 0430 WRMI 9955 [repeated 1589 this week] Thu 1600 WRMI 9955 Thu 2200 WTWW 9479 [confirmed] Thu 2230 WBCQ 7490 [confirmed] Fri 0430 WWRB 3195 and 5051 [confirmed on webcast] Fri 0600 WRMI 9955 [confirmed on webcast] Sat 0900 WRMI 9955 Sat 1600 WRMI 9955 Sat 1830 WRMI 9955 Sun 0500 WTWW 5755 Sun 0900 WRMI 9955 Sun 1630 WRMI 9955 Sun 1830 WRMI 9955 Mon 0400v WBCQ 5110v-CUSB Mon 1230 WRMI 9955 Tue 1030 HLR 5980 Hamburger Lokal Radio Latest edition of this schedule version, including AM, FM, satellite and webcasts with hotlinks to station sites and audio, is at: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html or http://schedule.worldofradio.org or http://sked.worldofradio.org For updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://193.42.152.193/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS VIA WRN: http://www.wrn.org/wrn-listeners/world-of-radio/ http://www.wrn.org/listeners/world-of-radio/rss/09:00:00UTC/English/541 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org DXLD YAHOOGROUP: Why wait for DXLD? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our yg without delay. When applying, please identify yourself with your real name and location, and say something about why you want to join. Those who do not, unless I recognize them, will be prompted once to do so and no action will be taken otherwise. Here`s where to sign up: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/ ** AFGHANISTAN. Re 11-46: It's time to start trying for Radio Afghanistan in North America, at least in the west. I can easily see them on my Perseus SDR waterfall on 6102. A tough catch with a lot of splatter from 6100 (North Korea) and 6105 (CRI Russian). Can't make out any audio this morning, other than the occasional burble during the 1530 to 1600 English transmission. After 1600 might just be a better time to check, since 6105 is gone now, and I'm hearing Radio Afghanistan just above threshold on 6102, now presumably in Urdu. 6100 KCBS is still there, of course, along with another cochannel (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Nov 19, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6101.98, R. Afghanistan, English, 1550, talk by a man (news or commentary) with several references to the "U.S.A." and "NATO." Very tough copy with North Korea less than 2 kHz away lowside and powerhouse China on 6105. Still though, best copy in LSB until 6105 is vacated at 1600, then decent copy is possible in USB. 20 Nov (David Sharp, NSW, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. 19010 via Kuwait, Radio Free Afghanistan strong in Dari or Pashto at 0530 UT opening, identifies as "Azadi Radyo". Parallels 12140 ex Kuwait & 17530 ex Sri Lanka, both at fair level 2/11 (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA. 7530, Radio Tirana; 2120-2130*, 17-Nov; English feature to unknown language pop music 2122-27; Brief program close at 2127 to folksy instrumental tune; IS from 2128 to BoH. SIO=3+43; very weak co- channel QRM; trill bursts started during IS (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) you mean ute QRM or broadcast QRM? (gh) Radio Tirana English Program email is: radiotiranaenglish @ live.com You may find our English Program Schedule at http://www.radiotirana.de Enjoy listening to Radio Tirana, (Drita Çiço, RTSH-Monitoring & Frequency Manager, RADIO TIRANA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) My recent remark about reception reports of 13640 quoted by R. Tirana on their mailbag being incorrect was: incorrect. Referring to English broadcasts, 13640 had been in use for the 1845 and 2000 broadcasts early in A-11, then replaced by 13735 when India appeared unexpectedly on 13640 and refused to move off. The other 13 MHz frequency was 13625 for the 1430 broadcast including when service resumed in October after a two-month hiatus. However, 13640 was in use again for a few days at the end of October, as B-11 frequencies were applied unexpectedly early to A-11 times, i.e. 1430. 13640 continued a few more days at the beginning of B-11 for the shifted 1530 broadcast, until it was replaced by 0230 on 7420. I must have overlooked that because of its brief vigence and unsuccessful attempts to hear it. R. Tirana has corrected their opening schedule announcement in English. Missed the UT Nov 18 0230 broadcast, and nothing came around on the webcast after that, but UT Nov 19 I brought up the 7420 webcast at 0223, with the R. Tirana IS already playing. 0230 sign-on by Klara Ruci has been fixed so she announces the two English broadcasts correctly as to the UK at 2100 UTC on 7530, to the USA at 0230 on 7420. (Still need to add: except Sundays/UT Mondays, and adding Canada if not Ireland, the rest of Europe would be nice too.) (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 7389.881, Shellac Phonograph (gramophone) records were heard around 0835 to 0850 UT Nov 21. Recordings made probably during the pre-1960s at 78-rpm recording era. Old ancient disc by mens chorus from 30ties or 40ties? News read by female announcer started late at 0905 UT, mentioned Israel many times. S=9+25dB signal in Italy and Austria, S=9+15dB in Germany. S=8-9 in Bremen Dutch border, Netherlands, and east of London-UK. S=7-8 level on northern Scotland and Faroe Island. S=6 level observed on three Finland receiver posts. Zagreb Croatian Radio HRT nearby on 7370 kHz was similar S=9+30dB level. At 0855 UT a measurement procedure heard on 7400 kHz, which was undoubtedly started by engineers from Plovdiv Bulgaria site gear. Three signals on 7399-7400-7401 kHz in peaks shown on remote Perseus receiver unit browser, noted til 0859.10 UT from Plovdiv. Same signal level like Radio Tirana Shijak level (Wolfgang Büschel, Stuttgart, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALGERIA [non]. B-11 of RTAlgeria Holy Qur`an Arabic via TDF FRANCE: 0400-0458 on 5865 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf 0500-0558 on 5865 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf 0500-0558 on 7295 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf 0600-0658 on 5865 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf till Feb. 25 0600-0658 on 7295 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf from Feb. 26 1800-1958 on 9390 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf till Feb. 25 1800-1958 on 11955 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf from Feb. 26 1900-2058 on 7455 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf 1900-2058 on 9390 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf 2000-2158 on 7455 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf till Feb. 25 2000-2158 on 9390 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CEAf from Feb. 26 2100-2158 on 7455 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NWAf (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, 22 Nov via DXLD) ** ANGUILLA [and non]. 11775, Nov 20 at 1407, heavy QRM atop PMS making ripple SAH; my first guess was Persian. Nothing in HFCC to account for this, of course, since all India registrations are still missing as of Nov 18, but Aoki shows AIR Nepali, 1330-1430, 250 kW, 25 degrees via Panaji, GOA (also jammed Tibetan at 1215-1315). Despite Caribbean Beacon being aimed 320 degrees so DGS could hear himself in Los Ángeles (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANTARCTICA. 15476, Tue Nov 22 at 1353, no signal from LRA36, nor on 15475, 15474, nor a couple chex after 1400 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. Radio Sentires --- Hoy escuché una emisora en la Xband bastante inusual para mi. Se trata de Radio Sentires, que transmite desde Merlo, en el oeste del conurbano bonaerense en los 1620 kHz. La capté desde Morón, 22 km al oeste de esta ciudad y apenas la sintonicé le mandé un sms a Marcelo Cornachioni quien me confirmó que la habíamos captado por vez primera (y única, en mi caso) en un DX Camp realizado en Mercedes, Pcia. de Bs. As., al cual fuimos justamente Marcelo, Enrique y yo. La emisora no es fácil de escuchar por estos lares (zona norte) de la ciudad puesto que en la misma QRG yo tengo a Radio Italia, desde Villa Martelli y la emisora religiosa cuyo nombre no recuerdo ahora y que emite desde Monte Grande. 73 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Nov 17, condiglista yg via DXLD) Nueva radio de AM en la X-Band Argentina --- Amigos, 1700 KHz, RADIO JUVENTUD es una nueva emisora de onda media de carácter “no oficial”, estación que desde hace años opera en 90.1 MHz (FM). QTH: Cjal. José Dans Rey -Calle 26- Nº 742, (B1887ELF) Florencio Varela, Provincia de Buenos Aires. Tel: (011) 4255-0739, 4237-2218. Director General: Héctor Hugo Alaniz (Marcelo A. Cornachioni, Lomas de Zamora, Argentina, Nov 19, listacondig yg via DXLD) AM 1700 en Neuquén --- Estoy recibiendo bastante bien a pesar del ruido la AM 1700 Fantástico de Tigre, emisora identificada mediante la escucha de la programación aquí: http://www.radiofantastico.com.ar/ 73 (Alejandro D Alvarez, LU8YD, Neuquen, 0037 UT Nov 20, condiglist yg via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA [and non]. 15345.0+, Nov 20 at 2159, R. Nacional has now escaped collision with Morocco as the latter unexpectedly shifted yesterday to 15349.5 and then 15349.1. LRA has heavy flutter unlike Morocco, and a big 4+kHz het between them now allows separation by side-tuning (or tighter selectivity; LRA is closer to 15345 than IMM is to 15349). Song in progress keeps playing thru accurate auto- timesignal at 2200. Not totally in the clear until IMM cuts off around 2215 rather than nominal 2200, and then LRA continues into the evening, but copy is tough with all the flutter and only fair signal. 15345+, Monday Nov 21 at 2159, RAE IS at end of foreign-language block, German, about to go to weak and fluttery Spanish, but with splatter from MOROCCO 15349.1, 4+ kHz het. If it were not for the fact that the two used to be on top of each other on 15345v, we would object strongly to this insufficient separation. In fact, let`s start doing that: it`s not good enough. Furthermore, much stronger IMM stayed on way later than nominal 2200* this date, still going at 2235 when I quit monitoring (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARMENIA. So did anyone hear the DRM Mix broadcast this Saturday at 18-21 on 7585-7590-7595 from Armenia? Or try for it? Quality? What times were the different programs within the block? (Glenn Hauser, 0534 UT Nov 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I tried to hear it, but at no time it produced audio. Best SNR was 9 dB, which gave sync & data. Mainly, the SNR was 0. See attached (Erik Køie, Copenhagen, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) In the transmit-studio, there was a faulty circuit. Almost the entire time were two different audio signals heard simultaneously. That was unbearable. That's why I had not listened intensely. I think any listed program-provider was for 30 minutes on the air. http://www.spaceline.bg/drmmix.html Here are two links to animated GIF of my yesterday's reception: 73+55 (roger, Germany, Nov 20, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: ``DRM Mix High quality digital broadcasting specially for listeners DRM Mix is a joint project of Spaceline and the most famous broadcasters in order to promote DRM to the listeners. Attractive mix of a programs will be on air every Saturday, 1800-2100 UT, 7590 kHz in DRM Mode in order to present the unique advantages of a good programing and digital high quality. Stay tuned and enjoy. Please send your reception reports, questions and comments at info @ spaceline.bg Broadcasts this Saturday 30 minutes each: KBC TWR Radio Prague AWR Wavescan [in that order? That only accounts for two of the three hours, presumably: 1800, 1830, 1900, 1930] DRM Mix coverage, transmitter site Radio CJSC, Noratus, Armenia with 100 kW transmitter renovated and operated by Spaceline Ltd.`` Spaceline page also has a coverage map, showing major footprint covers all of Germany, Netherlands, Czechia, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland, most of Erik`s Denmark, parts of neighboring countries --- and separated blobs to the N, E, S and W over parts of Sweden/Norway, Ukraine/Romania, Italy, UK/France. Not including Bulgaria and most of the Balkans, Spain, Ireland, Baltix, etc. SW coverage fluxuates more than that (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Japanese DXer`s sometimes confirmation a sound and ID label on Nov. 14 and 19. The decode rate is very poor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16wr4sK3QAo by Tuyoshi in Shimane, Japan Attach files by Hiroshi in Nagoya on Nov. 14 & 19 (S. Hasegawa, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) http://drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2372&page=2 (via Alokesh Gupta, ibid.) Ciao a tutti. Ricevuta e --- vista (naturalmente in DRM) la KBC, sabato 1 novembre dalle 1800 alle 1900 su 7590 kHz. Segnali caratterizzati da un certo fading (letale per la ricezione DM) ma sufficienti a fare un buon ascolto. Vi allego screenshot e annuncio. Ho provato a spedire una mail con raporto di ricezione elettronico alla stazione all'indirizzo annuncato ma i messaggi vengono rimanati indietro perchè l'indirizzo è inesistente. C'è qualcuno che conosce un indirizzo alternativo? Ho provato anche drmmix@spaceline.com con identico risultato negativo. Mi sfugge qualcosa in questo gioco della stazione ad indicare un indirizzo fasullo? Mah. (Giovanni, ITALIAN AMATEUR RADIO STATION IT9TZZ, SOLO IN TELEGRAFIA http://www.webalice.it/it9tzz bclnews.it yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) Ti assicuro che themightykbc @ gmail.com e' giusto o quantomeno lo e' stato sino al 13-11-2011 data della loro ultima conferma. Al prossimo ascolto ti diro' (Max Scordamaglia, http://www.bclswl.it/ ibid.) ** AUSTRALIA. QSL: VMC Charleville Meteo, Charleville QLD, 16546 USB, f/d logo/flag e-QSL in 2 days for an email English report. Thanks for Alokesh Gupta for pointing me to the correct person to send the reports to! You can send yours to Mr. Navin Chandran, N(dot)Chandran at bom(dot)gov(dot)au Navin informs me that the previous QSL Manager, Mike Dalakis, has retired and he has assumed Mike's duties. 73 (Al Muick, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA [and non]. 5995, 1152-1200, Radio Australia, Brandon, 20/11, English, OM/YL dialogues about Australian society - poor with local noise and slight QRM from 5990 (CRI), switching over to DRM mode at 1159'10 (Mikhail Timofeyev, http://dxcorner.narod.ru Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: Long wire (30 m), St. Petersburg, Russia, HCDX via DXLD) 15240, Nov 20 at 2225, items about Piltdown Man hoax, refers to ``on the right side of this picture``, as if this were television --- maybe it is! RA has been caught relaying ABC TV news channel soundtrack before; it`s ``On This Day`` in history feature, also about release of the Beatles` White Album, Dr. John R&B singer born in 1940y. This doesn`t seem right to me for Nov 20 --- sure enough, Googling quickly finds Dr John was born on Nov 21: ``Malcolm John "Mac" Rebennack, Jr. (born November 21, 1940),`` http://www.rhythmandtheblues.org.uk/public/shadesartists/drjohn.htm I`ve got news for you Downunderites: it may be Nov 21 where you are, but at 2225 UT, it`s still Nov 20 from America to western Europe! So hold off on the historical advances, please. Back to business: 15240 audio quality doesn`t sound like Shepparton but is putting in a much better signal than Shep // 15515, furthermore not synchronized. HFCC B-11 shows nothing at this hour for RA from anywhere --- that`s because the ChiCom forbid RA or any other station from including relays via vile breakaway province Taiwan in HFCC. Aoki is under no such political restrixions: ``15240 R. AUSTRALIA 2200-2330 1234567 English 100 205 Tainan TWN 12010E 2302N ABC b11``. Then at 00-08 on 15240 it really is Shepparton at 30 degrees. 15230, Nov 21 at 2201, RA fair signal with news about Marshall Islands, and very poor if any signal on 15240, where RA was easily audible yesterday during this hour via Tainan, Taiwan. No sign of Cuba on 15230: one new RHC schedule shows it starting Spanish at 22-, another at 24-, and both show 15230 in Portuguese at 23-24, which I recall hearing recently. At 2204 I also had RA on 15515 and 15560, but not parallel during news, I thought by tuning back and forth (not with two receivers), until 2205 when they were // for post-newscast magazine show. Both listed as Shepparton, 30 and 70 degrees respectively. 15415, Nov 21 at 2219, another RA frequency with rock music, 2221 Indonesian announcements. It was fluttery unlike the others and more like Brasil 15190, Argentina 15345, briefly raising the spectre of defunct R. Clube de Ribeirão Preto, years ago on 15415 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. HCJB desde Kununurra en 15400 kHz ... ¡Pronunciá bien este nombre!... KUNUNURRA...¡ QUE NO SE TE CAIGAN LOS DIENTES! jejeeeeeejeee (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Thu Nov 17, 2011 3:48 pm (PST), condgiglist yg via DXLD) ? So it`s a funny or dirty word in Spanish? Do tell. Or just trilly, liable to knock your teeth out (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** BAHRAIN. 9745-USB, Radio Bahrain, 2101, Arabic, presumed with news, then into music. Carrier + USB. Covered by VOA French service until 2100, then in the clear. 18 Nov (David Sharp, NSW, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELARUS. Winter B-11 of Radio Belarus, Minsk: Belarussian HS 0400-0700 on 7255 MNS 250 kW / 075 deg 1500-1700 on 7255 MNS 250 kW / 075 deg Belarussian 1100-1400 on 7360 MNS 075 kW / 270 deg 1100-1400 on 7390 MNS 150 kW / 245 deg Russian 1400-1600 on 7360 MNS 075 kW / 270 deg 1400-1600 on 7390 MNS 150 kW / 245 deg Polish 1600-1800 on 7360 MNS 075 kW / 270 deg 1600-1800 on 7390 MNS 150 kW / 245 deg 1700-1800 on 6155 MNS 250 kW / 252 deg German 1800-2000 on 6155 MNS 250 kW / 252 deg# 1800-2000 on 7360 MNS 075 kW / 270 deg# 1800-2000 on 7390 MNS 150 kW / 245 deg# English [WORLD OF RADIO 1592] 2000-2200 on 6155 MNS 250 kW / 252 deg* 2000-2200 on 7360 MNS 075 kW / 270 deg* 2000-2200 on 7390 MNS 150 kW / 245 deg* Russian 2200-2300 on 6155 MNS 250 kW / 252 deg 2200-2300 on 7360 MNS 075 kW / 270 deg 2200-2300 on 7390 MNS 150 kW / 245 deg # 1940-2000 Sat/Sun French Belarus from A to Z * 2000-2020 Sun Spanish px-Belarus from A to Z (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, 22 Nov via DXLD) So as expected, did not shift one UT hour later this winter, since Belarus is staying on summer-time yearound (gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) On November 16 with 1535 UT accept the Brest regional radio in the Russian language on the frequency 7255 kHz. Reception - 44444. The channel is only in Russian, on the Belarusian word. The site TRK "Brest" http://www.trkbrest.by/ Receiver: Degen 1103, Telescopic antenna (Dmitry Kutuzov, Ryazan, Russia / "deneb-radio-dx" via RusDX via DXLD) Let me remind you that the Radio Brest you can hear also from Monday to Saturday 1500-1600 UT on frequencies 6010 and 6070 khz (Sergey Nikishin, Moscow, Russia /, ibid.) ** BOLIVIA. ? 5580.17 tentative, Radio San José, San José de Chiquitos at 0020 with fair signal in South Florida. Being received in Clewiston by Charles Bolland and dxer in Palm Beach with the same signal (Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida 1981-2011, 0042 UT Nov 20, Cumbre DX via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) see UNIDENTIFIED by gh 5580.27, 2315-0010 19+20.11, R San José, San José de Chiquitos (tentative), very weak carrier without audio. No carrier noted at 0130-0140 on 18.11 Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Denmark, in Skovlunde on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) ** BONAIRE [non]. Greenville substituted for some Bonaire transmissions due to rat problems: see NETHERLANDS [non] ** BRAZIL. INVITATION FROM SENATE SHORTWAVE RADIO, BRASÍLIA [machine translation??] Akbar Indra Gunawan, The anniversary of the Senate OC Radio, here in Brasilia, Brazil, will be celebrated with a special programming. On the anniversary of Radio programming Senate, we will register all the people who heard the radio listening in the world. Thou are invited to participate in programming with a recording that will be part of the anniversary program. If you agree to participate, please send us via e-mail an MP3 recording with the following data: - name - age - profession - Home town - And say the phrase: "I am listener of Radio Shortwave Senate." We appreciate your participation. It is very important to us. Compliments of Tonca Burity, Radio journalist OC Senate, Brasilia, Brazil (via Antonio Carlos Lopes Burity, Nov 22, via Gunawan (Indonesia), HCDX via DXLD) A.k.a. Rádio Senado on 5990. So when`s the anniversary? (gh) ** BRAZIL. [re 11-46] Bons tempos em que a gente longe da Capital ouvias as noticias da Saudosa Diário da Manhã em 31m (lá em casa, no meio oeste, na década de 70 ao meio dia o programa vanguarda era certo e não tinha outro) e da Guarujá em 49m, mas infelizmente, agora se não estiver em Floripa, só vais saber de noticias via internet, rádio OC já era. A antiga Diário da Manhã OC agora chamasse MARUMBI e a Diário da Manhã OM é atual CBN Diário em 740 kHz. Acho, se não estou enganado, que deve ser o único Estado que não tem uma emissora de Onda Curta que não seja ligada a religião. Não sou contra as emissoras ligadas a religião, mas, acho que o Legislativo deveria regulamentar estas concessões e ter limite nas programações, pois tratam-se de concessões públicas (Ruy Rosetto, F`polis SC, Nov 17, radioescutas yg via DXLD) Rádio Diário da Manhã Olá Colegas, No domingo passado 19/11 ás 11:30hs (Horário de Brásília [1330 UT]) em Silvânia-Goiás, a 100 km de Goiânia, pude captar e ouvir a Rádio "Livre" Diário da Manhã 7840, e melhor ouvida em 7842 kHz. A mesma foi Reportada anteriormente pelos colegas Rudolf e Arthur (Que cantou a pedra). Essa mesma emissora transmite de Brasília-DF nos finais de semana, tocando muitas "relíquias" da música brasileira. Ouví os programas "alma cabocla" e "especial Tonico e Tinoco". Locutor mandando muitos abraços para ouvintes de Brasília. Algumas semanas antes eu tinha ouvido a mesma, em 6932/3 kHz, mas como estava muito congestionada, resolveram então, passar para uma outra frequência. O áudio não é dos melhores, mas dá para relembrar muita coisa boa através das músicas tocadas. Parabéns pelos idealizadores da Rádio Diário da Manhã. Receptores usados: Rádios Tecsun Pl-390 e Degen DE 1103 Antenas: Telescópica e Long Wire 100 metros Abraço a todos, (Cássio Secundino Borges Santos Secundino - Goiânia - Goiás, DXCB-234, PP2008SWL, Nov 22, radioescutas yg via DXLD ** BRAZIL. 11780, Nov 18 at 0546, surprised to find R. Nacional Amazônia already on the air with slow romantic song. Normal turn-on ranges from 0630 to 0700 except 24 hours on UT Sundays and this was Friday. Second-strongest signal on band after JORDAN [q.v.] 11960 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 15189.98, Rádio Inconfidência fair-good in USB at 0238 21 Nov. Reception in AM or LSB suffers from 15185 DRM transmission QRM past 0400 (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15190, Nov 20 at 2311, R. Inconfidência is playing the 2nd movement from Beethoven's "Pathétique" piano sonata, a.k.a. the theme music for `Adventures in Good Music` with the late Karl Haas. Always nice to hear classical on SW, but the signal is pretty rough with flutter, like Argentina on 15345+. Perhaps this is a regular classical program on Sundays from this full-service station (something of everything), a concept virtually dead in format-driven North American commercial broadcasting (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BULGARIA. Radio Bulgaria. 15700 Plovdiv. Nov 20, 2011, Sunday. 1635-1700. Bulgarian, OM and YL talking, YL (or YL's) singing two Bulgarian songs (presumed folk songs), very nice too. Closed with OM singing another song to 1700*. No id heard, but the songs were typically Bulgarian as I once heard and enjoyed on the late great BBC programme "World of Music". Fair - poor, but mainly poor, their one and only transmission to southern Africa, or any part of Africa come to that (according to DX Mix News). I've only heard Radio Bulgaria once before (9/8/2011) from southern Africa, and it was unreadable then. Dear Ivo at Radio Bulgaria, please try to find a better frequency for southern Africa, I'd like to hear more of this (although I only speak English, hint, hint). Jo'burg sunset 1638 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 900 CKDH Confirmed off the air forever I believe 900 CKDH is now dark. Fired up the Racal and was getting Hamilton and some USA station yapping in the background. No sign of CKDH. I hope to confirm in the daytime, as on occasion the ether would suck CKDH's signal into oblivion at night - however, most nights there would be at least some whimper of CKDH's music. It does make sense that they would be dark, as the 90 days are up and CKDH 101.7 has been cranking out an amazing signal considering its transmitting bays are almost at ground level on very flat land. [Later:] Confirmed [after numerous daytime as well as nighttime checks] - 900 CKDH is now history. Another Canadian AMer gone dark. CHML Hamilton ON now owns the frequency, with other assorted stations bubbling up from time to time (Phil Rafuse, VY2PR, Stratford PE Canada, Nov 22, ABDX via DXLD) I called CKDH Amherst NS today. The station manager said AM 900 closed "last Thursday" [Nov. 17/2011]. a (Andy Reid, Ont., Nov 23, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. NEW MONTREAL AM STATIONS APPROVED Some changes for Montreal's AM radio scene, approved by CRTC today: - CKGM to move from 990 to 690 - New French talk station on 940 - New French LBGTQ specialty station on 990 Full details on the CRTC website: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/whatsnew/2011/n1121.htm 73, Ricky http://yellowjournalist.wordpress.com/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/rleong101/ I could lie down in the grass of the wide open prairie Stare up at the stars, fall asleep to a coyote cry [tagline] Glenn, I should note the words are from a Jimmy Rankin song called "Stay". 73, (Ricky Leong, Calgary AB, Nov 21, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Released by the CRTC today: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-721.htm (Sheldon Harvey, Nov 21, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I wonder why the CRTC would approve the applications for new French operations on a couple of frequencies but not for English language stations on those frequencies. What difference does language make? The apps for English operations were denied (Bill in BC Kral, Nov 22, IRCA via DXLD) An English station got the biggest plum on the tree when it (CKGM 990) was allowed to move to 690, a former French service frequency. I would think that you would almost have to grant an application on ex-English 940 to a French service given this fact. The awarding of 990 to French is probably to balance services. In the end you still have two of the three (690, 940 and 990) frequencies with French services and one with English. Just speculation on my part. 73 (Bill Dvorak, Madison WI (Bill in WI), ibid.) Bill, The CRTC decision has to do with content and viability of each applicant and the frequencies they are lusting for, not a matter of language here. See the details regarding the denied stations from line 56 to 69 in the present CRTC decision: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-721.htm Interesting to learn that the station that will occupy the 940 slot will have a News and traffic format while the second new station once CKGM has moved to 690, would be occupying the 990 slot with programming oriented to the homosexual community as Toronto's PROUD-FM (Sylvain Naud, Portneuf, QC, ibid.) http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/montreal/radio+stations+approved+Montreal/5744902/story.html http://www.radio-info.com/news/canadas-crtc-approves-two-new-am-stations-in-montreal (via Artie Bigley, Nov 21, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) Viz.: TWO NEW AM RADIO STATIONS APPROVED FOR MONTREAL Montrealers are soon going to hear two new high-power AM radio stations, including a French-language news-talk station that's going to go up against 98.5FM and a frequency change for TSN Radio 990. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission announced Monday two decisions on a total of nine applications for AM frequencies in in the Montreal area, five of which were for two clear- channel frequencies that have been unused since Info 690 and 940 Hits were shut down in January 2010. The CRTC gave 940 AM to 7954689 Canada Inc., a group headed by Montreal businessmen Paul Tietolman, Nicolas Tétrault and Rajiv Pancholy. The station will be used for a French news-talk format that promises 100 per cent local programming and a budget that climbs to $10 million a year. It would compete directly with the 98.5FM (CHMP), news-talk and sports station owned by Cogeco Diffusion Inc. The group had also applied for a similar station in English to compete against Astral Media's CJAD, but the commission denied that application because 690 and 940 were taken and the group would not accept 990 as the station's frequency. "If Tietolman wishes to pursue its proposal by using an alternative frequency, it may submit a new application to the commission, which will then examine the new application on its own merits," the commission wrote in its decision. The other clear channel, 690 AM, was given to TSN Radio 990 (CKGM), which had applied for a frequency change to improve its signal. At 990, the station is required to change its signal at night to avoid interfering with CBC stations on the same frequency in Winnipeg and Corner Brook, N.L. TSN Radio owner Bell Media submitted dozens of complaints from listeners and advertisers about the poor signal at night, particularly in the West Island, when Canadiens games are on. With 990 freed up, the CRTC awarded that frequency to Dufferin Communications Inc., which will setup a French-language music and talk station for Montreal's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community called Radio Fierté. Dufferin's parent Evanov Communications Inc. owns 13 radio stations, but this will be their first one in Quebec. Evanov vice-president Carmela Laurignano told The Gazette the group is "extremely, extremely happy" to have its application approved and looks forward to bringing a first-of-its-kind station to Quebec. The group operates a similar LGBT station, Proud FM, in English on a low- power FM frequency in Toronto. The CRTC also denied an application from Cogeco Diffusion for an English-language all-traffic station, saying it was "not satisfied that the proposed service would represent the best use of a high-power AM frequency in Montreal." The station would have acted as a sister station for Radio Circulation 730, which launched in September and replaced CKAC Sports. The two would have been funded mainly through an agreement with the Quebec Transport Ministry that would give each station $1.5 million a year in exchange for advertising time. The English station was already being advertised by the government as coming soon and Cogeco had sought applicants for jobs as traffic announcers. As with Tietolman-Tétrault-Pancholy, the CRTC said Cogeco could re- apply for another frequency. The decisions require the three approved applications to be operating within two years, but each has said it would like to be on the air by next fall. In a separate decision also issued Monday, the CRTC denied four applications for low-power AM radio stations in Montreal, three with multilingual ethnic programming and one for a French-language religious station. The CRTC ruled the Montreal market could not handle the additional stations, which would compete with five existing ethnic stations and religious station Radio Ville-Marie (CIRA-FM 91.3). The denied applications were from Radio Humsafar Inc. and Ontario businessman Neeti P. Ray for stations mainly targeting the South Asian community, La Méga Radio inc. for a station mainly targeting the Latin American community, and Gospel Media Communications for the proposed religious station (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) 690, 940 and 990 all operated with 50 kW before, presumably to be 50 kW again; Canadian `clear` channels (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) ** CANADA. MONTREAL'S HAITIAN RADIO STATION SILENCED BY TECHNICAL PROBLEMS http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/11/21/cpam-haitian-radio-problems.html Transmission problems at Montreal's Haitian radio station are forcing it off the air on weekdays, because its signal interferes with a neighbour's phone system. Since the end of September, CPAM has not been able to broadcast its programming weekdays between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. [now off the air 1200-2300 UT M-F] CPAM host Henry Salgado said the problem is temporary and caused by the location of the station's transmitter, which was recently moved. The limited broadcast time has caused a 20 per cent drop in ad revenues for the station over the past few weeks. And more importantly, said Salgado, it has silenced a valuable resource Haitian Montrealers rely on. "This is a big problem for the Haitian community," he said. Station manager Jean Ernest Pierre said the community depends on CPAM for the latest news from Haiti. "We have a lot of problems in Haiti and we have to know the news of the day, the music, the culture, all of it," he said. "For some people, it's the continuation of Haiti here in Montreal." Pierre said the problem should be resolved by next spring, when a plan to share an antenna with the CJMS radio station in the Montérégie region goes into effect. In the meantime, the station is in talks with its neighbour's phone provider, Telus, to come to a short-term compromise. (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) It`s really CJWI 1610 (gh) I wonder where their transmitter could have been re-located? This is that same station that had their antenna on top of their studio building, a Valcom fibreglass whip probably this one: http://www.valcom-guelph.com/products/V-33035AM-CL2.html Using Google StreetView, here's an outdated shot showing CJWI's former address on Jarry Street with the fibreglass whip over the roof of the white building: http://g.co/maps/5x4d6 I wouldn't be surprised that their recent interference issues are originating from a similar setup at their new location (Sylvain Naud, QC, IRCA, via DXLD) ** CANADA. 9625, Nov 23 at 0649, no carrier, let alone tone, from CBC NQ after 0606*; after all our discussion about their leaving the transmitter on all night, seems to have stopped doing that (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also TAIWAN on 9625 later ** CANADA [non]. Uptodate Frequency _ Bible Voice The website version [tnx via Abid Hussain Sajid] contains some faults, here is the easier read .text transformed BVB shortwave schedule: FRANCE/GERMANY/KAZAKHSTAN/UZBEKISTAN BVB - BIBLE VOICE BROADCASTING from Canada in B-11 program schedule MIDDLE EAST All times in UTC (Universal Time) ... Local times... Jerusalem +2 W +3 S Amman +2 W +3 S Cairo +2 W +3 S Ar Riyad +3 W/S Damascus +2 W +3 S Dubai +4 W/S Tehran +3.5 W +4.5 S Addis Ababa +3 W/S Baghdad +3 W +4 S Asmera +3 W/S MIDDLE EAST 1 9460 kHz; 31 meter band; 100 kW 120degr; Wertachtal Germany, Germany Day Time Language Sunday 1630-1915 English Monday 1645-1700 English Tuesday 1645-1720 English 1800-1830 English 1830-1900 Hebrew Wednesday 1645-1700 English Thursday 1645-1720 English 1720-1730 Israeli Music 1730-1745 English Friday 1645-1715 English Saturday 1645-1800 English MIDDLE EAST 2 9470 kHz; 31 meter band; 250 kW 120degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Sunday 1915-1945 English Saturday 1900-2000 English MIDDLE EAST 3 6110 kHz; 49 meter band; 100 kW 120degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Sunday 1800-1900 English Saturday 1800-1900 English MIDDLE EAST 4 7410 kHz; 41 meter band; 250 kW 120degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Thursday 0500-0530 Arabic Friday 0500-0515 Arabic MIDDLE EAST 5 7355 kHz; 41 meter band; 100 kW 120degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Monday 1715-1800 Arabic Wednesday 1715-1800 Arabic Friday 1715-1800 Arabic MIDDLE EAST 6 11915 kHz; 25 meter band; 250 kW 115degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Monday 1655-1715 Arabic Tuesday 1655-1715 Arabic Wednesday 1655-1730 Arabic Thursday 1655-1715 Arabic Friday 1655-1715 Arabic No bcast on Middle East 7 anymore. (wb) MIDDLE EAST 8 7325 kHz; 41 meter band; 125 kW 120degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Monday 0300-0330 Arabic Tuesday 0300-0330 Arabic Wednesday 0300-0330 Arabic Thursday 0300-0330 Arabic Friday 0300-0330 Arabic Saturday 0300-0330 Arabic Sunday 0300-0330 Arabic MIDDLE EAST 9 9440 kHz; 31 meter band; 125 kW 125degr; Nauen Germany - not WER Day Time Language Monday 1700-1730 Arabic Tuesday 1700-1730 Arabic Wednesday 1700-1730 Arabic Thursday 1700-1730 Arabic Friday 1700-1730 Arabic Saturday 1700-1730 Arabic Sunday 1700-1730 Arabic EGYPT All times in UTC (Universal Time) ... Local times... Cairo +2 W +3 S Tehran +2 W +3 S Egypt 1 17545 kHz; 16 meter band; 125 kW 135degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Friday 0900-1000 Arabic IRAN All times in UTC (Universal Time) ... Local times... Tehran +3.5 W +4.5 S IRAN 1 7365 kHz; 41 meter band; 100 kW 90degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Sunday 1830-1900 Farsi Monday 1800-1830 Farsi Tuesday 1800-1900 Farsi Wednesday 1800-1830 Farsi Thursday 1800-1900 Farsi Friday 1800-1830 Farsi Saturday 1800-1815 English IRAN 2 9925 kHz; 31 meter band; 100 kW 105degr; Nauen Germany - not WER Day Time Language Sunday 1630-1830 Farsi Monday 1630-1830 Farsi Tuesday 1630-1830 Farsi Wednesday 1630-1830 Farsi Thursday 1630-1830 Farsi Friday 1630-1830 Farsi Saturday 1630-1830 Farsi IRAN 3 11965 kHz: 25 meter band: 250 kW 105 degr: Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Sunday 1530-1545 Farsi IRAN 4 5950 kHz: 49 meter band: 100 kW 105degr: Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Sunday 0400-0430 Luri Monday 0400-0430 Luri Tuesday 0400-0430 Farsi Wednesday 0400-0430 Farsi Thursday 0400-0430 Farsi Friday 0400-0430 Farsi Saturday 0400-0430 Luri EAST AFRICA All times in UTC (Universal Time) ... Local times... Addis Ababa +3 W/S Asmera +3 W/S Khartoum +3 W/S EAST AFRICA 1b 13810 kHz; 22 meter band; 100 kW 131degr; Issoudun France Day Time Language Sunday 1600-1630 Oromo 1630-1800 Amharic 1800-1830 Somali Monday 1600-1630 Oromo 1700-1730 Tigringa 1730-1800 Amharic Tuesday 1700-1730 Amharic Wednesday 1700-1730 Tigringa 1730-1800 Amharic Thursday 1600-1630 Oromo 1700-1800 Amharic Friday 1600-1630 Oromo 1700-1730 Amharic Music 1730-1800 Amharic 1800-1830 Somali Saturday 1630-1745 Amharic 1745-1800 English 1800-1830 Somali SUDAN All times in UTC (Universal Time) ... Local times... Khartoum +3 W/S SUDAN 1 11875 kHz; 25 meter band; 100 kW 150degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Sunday 1630-1700 Nuer 1700-1730 Dinka Monday 1630-1700 Nuer 1700-1730 Dinka Tuesday 1630-1700 Nuer 1700-1730 Dinka Wednesday 1630-1700 Nuer 1700-1730 Dinka Thursday 1630-1700 Nuer 1700-1730 Dinka Friday 1630-1700 Nuer 1700-1730 Dinka 1730-1745 Fur Saturday 1630-1700 Nuer 1700-1730 Dinka CENTRAL AFRICA 1 - Sunday 1830-1845 Swahili deleted in B-11. WEST AFRICA All times in UTC (Universal Time) ... Local times... Lagos +1 W/S WEST AFRICA 1 - Sats 1930-2000 deleted in B-11 WEST AFRICA 3 6100 kHz; 49 meter band; 125 kW 195degr; Nauen Germany Day Time Language Sunday 0500-0530 Arabic Monday 0500-0530 Arabic Tuesday 0500-0530 Arabic Wednesday 0500-0530 Arabic Thursday 0500-0530 Arabic Friday 0500-0530 Arabic Saturday 0500-0530 Arabic WEST AFRICA 4 9715 kHz; 31 meter band; 125 kW 180degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Sunday 1900-1930 Arabic Monday 1900-1930 Arabic Tuesday 1900-1930 Arabic Wednesday 1900-1930 Arabic Thursday 1900-1930 Arabic Friday 1900-1930 Arabic Saturday 1900-1930 Arabic INDIAN SUBCONTINENT All times in UTC (Universal Time) ...Local times... Delhi +5.5 W/S Karachi +5 W/S Kolkata +5.5 W/S Kabul +4.5 W/S Dhaka +6 W/S Kathmandu +5.75 W/S INDIA 1 15470 kHz; 19 meter band; 250 kW 90degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Sunday 1400-1500 English Saturday 1430-1500 English INDIA 3 13740 kHz; 22 meter band; 250 kW 90degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Sunday 1500-1515 English INDIA 4 7395 kHz; 41 meter band; 250 kW 90degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Sunday 0030-0100 English Monday 0030-0100 Hindi Tuesday 0030-0100 Hindi Wednesday 0030-0100 Hindi Thursday 0030-0100 Hindi Friday 0030-0100 English Saturday 0030-0100 English INDIA 5 13670 kHz; 22 meter band; 100 kW 90degr; Issoudun France Day Time Language Wednesday 1530-1600 Urdu Thursday 1530-1600 English Friday 1515-1530 Punjabi 1530-1600 Urdu Saturday 1515-1530 English WEST EUROPE All times in UTC (Universal Time) Local times... London 0 W +1 S Stockholm +1 W +2 S Lisbon 0 W +1 S Oslo +1 W +2 S Paris +1W +2 S WEST EUROPE 1/UK 7220 kHz; 41 meter band; 100 kW non-dir; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Sunday 0800-0830 English Saturday 0800-0845 English SPAIN - in Spanish Sunday 1800-1830 deleted. EAST EUROPE/RUSSIA All times in UTC (Universal Time) Local times... Moscow +4W/+4S Warsaw +1W/+2S Prague +1W/+2S Kiev +2W/+3S Budapest +1W/+2S EAST EUROPE 1/RUSSIA 6030 kHz; 49 meter band; 100 kW 60degr; Wertachtal Germany Day Time Language Sunday 1900-2000 English Tuesday 1900-1930 Russian Thursday 1900-1915 Ukrainian Friday 1900-1915 Russian Saturday 1915-1945 English CHINA All times in UTC (Universal Time) Local times... Beijing +8W/S Shanghai +8W/S Hong Kong +8W/S Seoul +9W/S CHINA 1 6225 kHz; 49 meter band; 200 kW 132degr; Alma-Ata / Almaty Kazakhstan Day Time Language Sunday 1405-1435 English Monday 1405-1435 Mandarin Tuesday 1405-1420 Cantonese Wednesday 1405-1420 Cantonese 1420-1435 Dzongkha Thursday 1405-1420 Cantonese 1420-1435 Nepali Friday 1405-1420 Cantonese Saturday 1405-1435 English Delete KOREA 1 program via Dushanbe-TJK at 13-14 UT. JAPAN 1 9870 kHz; 31 meter band; 200 kW 56degr; Tashkent Uzbekistan Day Time Language Sunday 1230-1300 Japanese All our Shortwave Programs are available for internet listening at (Select Listen and then Language and/or the Broadcaster Name). Programmers love to hear from you directly! Send your reports to or mail to: BVB P.O.Box 425, Station E Toronto, Ontario Canada M6H 4E3 (BVB via Jean-Michel Aubier-France, transformed and updated by wb wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 1 via Büschel, Nov 23, dxldyg via DXLD) ** CHILE [and non]. IMPRESIONES DEL ESPECTRO RADIAL CHILENO (CONO SUR) Después de varios meses de espera, creo que es la hora de hacer un pequeño balance sobre lo que encontré en el dial chileno. El panorama es rico, variado, multicolor y para todos los gustos. Contra lo que pudiera parecer, incluso es divertido, si comparamos con el páramo radiofónico de la realidad ibérica en donde reina la máxima concentración y la mínima pluralidad (¿Será ese el motivo de nuestro gran batacazo político que está por llegar? ¿Ha merecido, realmente, la pena plegarse al dictado del gobierno de turno y los intereses especulativos del capital que controla las grandes cadenas? ¿De verdad ha favorecido el pluralismo y la libertad la concentración de medios? ¿Ha resultado beneficioso a la colectividad o nos han embrutecido aún más? ¿Canibalizar RNE ha sido tan positivo? ¿Las radios locales – con los intereses del color político de cada momento en juego - son las que cohesionan? ¡Anda ya! Sólo han creado verdaderos focos de despilfarro y corrupción, juguetes millonarios en manos, muchas veces, de indeseables. La verdad: no tengo tan claro que los “sesudos” burócratas europeos hayan acertado la más mínima, pero sobre todo en el plano de libertad [a no ser que se refieran a haz lo que quieras que nadie será responsable de nada y ahí tenemos los resultados, sobre todo, cuando acudimos en busca de Justicia cuyo resultado es otro ¡Puaf!] Tendríamos muchas más preguntas. Pero estamos con el dial chileno y es lógico regresar al hilo conductor. Comencé la escucha (unas dos horas en sesiones de tarde y noche a partir de mi llegada a Talca que aún presentaba las terribles huellas del reciente terremoto, pero peor aún era el desolador aspecto de Concepción, aunque una escapada a una de las caletas de pescadores a pocos kilómetros, indicara que allí apenas hubo secuelas. Al menos sirvió para reponer fuerzas y aprovechar la rica y variada carta de productos del mar a unos precios verdaderamente fantásticos para un europeo) iniciado el camino del Sur. La mayor parte de ellas las concentré en una cabaña - preciosa - que alquilé en Quellón (Isla Grande de Chiloé), donde no había las típicas interferencias que suelen darse en las zonas industrializadas o grandes urbes (aunque las pesqueras y marisqueras que inundan los mercados europeos estaban a pleno rendimiento al tiempo de crear verdaderos problemas ambientales en la región) y el dial estaba muy limpio si comparamos con mi QTH habitual en Tarragona en donde raramente quedan libres de emisoras españolas muy pocos canales. Por la lógica situación insular, las estaciones eran esencialmente chilenas en el 90% de los casos y el resto de Argentina -estamos en la zona sur del continente, pero todavía lejos del punto más austral de Chile-. Coincidió con mi estancia la Copa América y prácticamente todas las estaciones sintonizadas hacían referencia a la final en la que la selección uruguaya se alzó, una vez más, con el triunfo. No todas las estaciones están concentradas, así que el panorama es rico en cuanto a contenido programático o independencia radial respecto a las grandes cadenas santiaguinas. Es el caso de Radio Chiloe [siempre teniendo en cuenta el fragmento sintonizado] que transmite desde Castro, la bella y coqueta capital insular que, en algunos aspectos, me recordaba a Vigo en mis tiempos de servicio militar hace ya cuatro décadas. La publicidad la tienen bastante bien dosificada y, llegado el caso, puede pasar desapercibida. No es tan estridente como la nuestra; el programa deportivo, al margen de los grandes eventos, lo concentraban en los pequeños logros del deporte local que, en aquella fechas, se fijaba en Castro y su zona de influencia en donde tenían un torneo deportivo escolar. Posiblemente, para noticias y contenidos más europeizados [pero no por ello menos interesantes] tendríamos que acudir a la casi centenaria Radio Cooperativa que cubre todo el país y también tiene su estación en la isla. Esta prestigiosa cadena inició su andadura en la ciudad portuaria de Valparaíso un 21 de abril de 1935 y hoy es un patrimonio de todos los chilenos. En comparación con el caso español, vendría a considerarse una CADENA SER, aunque Cooperativa está [a mi entender y juzgando los tiempos escuchados] más comprometida con la libertad y el pueblo chileno que la nuestra, donde el dilema de Shakespeare, SER o NO SER parece pesa lo suyo. Fue otra histórica señal en la ONDA CORTA , inicialmente transmitió en los 49 metros . En Chiloé estaba transmitiendo en los 770 kHz de la Onda Media [allí AM]. La tercera para mi gusto sería Radio Lautaro que, en ese tiempo de escucha se identificaba como la RED NOTICIOSA DEL SUR. El domingo la temática deportiva y española era el plato fuerte: homenaje al recientemente desaparecido Severiano Ballesteros y encuentros de equipos españoles en los torneos estivales. Buena dicción y un muy buen empleo del argot deportivo sin entrar en la chabacanería: un locutor experimentado y con tablas, en cierta medida me recordaba a “Butanito” [un personaje que hizo grande a la SER y que luego no supieron sustituir] y eso que yo no soy futbolero. En temática musical me sorprendió, por la cantidad y calidad, la programación de rancheras de Radio La Frontera de Temuco, la mejor y la primera decía su jingle promocional y, personalmente, considero que no defrauda. La bomba fue que acabadas las rancheras pasaron a la música española de los 60 y 70: mi corazón que parecía reponerse del susto que me llevé en Santiago al acceder al tren que me condujo a Talca, los vehículos corresponden a los de largo recorrido que empleaba en mis desplazamientos a comienzos de los setenta cuando realizaba el servicio militar que me hizo dar la vuelta a España. Noté que esos vehículos me eran familiares, así que busqué la placa de construcción y efectivamente eran los que se fabricaban en Guipúzcoa: siguen en pleno funcionamiento aunque el interior ha sido adaptado a trayectos concretos que cada vez son más cortos [llegará un momento que esas infraestructuras las volverán a poner al día pero a precios prohibitivos: gran contradicción la del ser humano, destroza la naturaleza y sustituye lo que funciona porque los intereses crematísticos de poderosos grupos están por encima del bien común]. Bien, la radio lanzaba nuestros cantantes de la época, de golpe y porrazo estaba en mi adolescencia, mi juventud, el abandono de la tierra natal como tantos miles de españoles de la época. La verdad, Mari Trini, Cecilia, etc., sonaban fabulosamente bien en aquellas latitudes y parecía que estabas viajando en el tiempo. En este grupo podríamos colocar también a Radio Reloncaví de Puerto Montt (la mítica ciudad portuaria que tantas veces oí a través de Escucha Chile de Radio Moscú). De Temuco llegaba otra emisora con una programación netamente religiosa. La poderosa palabra del Señor en Radio Nueve Veinte; no tenían pelos en la lengua los evangelistas de la zona en sus diatribas sobre el “Mico de Barinas” al que consideraban directo responsable de su mal estado de salud por haber desafiado a Dios (sic). Sin duda debe tener sus adeptos pero no dejó de sorprenderme esta emisión del Hermano Ramón que en su despedida arengaba a la audiencia con las palabras “al morir nada te llevas”. Mucha filosofía y poco contenido para esa parte final del espacio captado. Otra estación religiosa [o al menos en ese momento] fue Radio Los Confines que retransmitía programación de Radio Vaticano [pero llegaba con baja calidad y no siempre se lograba captar], un recurso al que acuden muchas emisoras del continente para complementar su oferta programática y, en cierta medida obtener alguna ayuda de las emisoras que utilizan sus servicios. El día captado estaban centrados en la visita del Santo Padre a Madrid, algo que no dejó de sorprenderme, en el viaje de regreso el vuelo estaba ocupado en más del 80% por grupos de peregrinos: jóvenes chilenos de centros educativos católicos que venían a recibir al Papa en la JMJ de Madrid [Sí, la misma que fue boicoteada por una serie de grupos de escasa representación pero de gran poder en los medios que, en algunos casos, ya dominan]. Un buen espacio dedicado a las Hermanas Blancas o Misioneras. Aquí tendríamos que ubicar también a Radio Armonia que nació en 1990 y prácticamente cubre todo el país tras hacerse con Radio Talcahuano, una gran base portuaria al norte de Concepción que sirvió de punto de anclaje y referencia del grupo evangélico. Son programas más tranquilos y relajantes, aunque el Apocalipsis y el final del mundo tampoco dejaban tranquilas las conciencias. Otra que mereció la pena fue Radio Parque Nacional de Villarrica, sin duda una de las ciudades más hermosas gracias a su impresionante lago y su no menos hermoso volcán. En plena temporada invernal la zona no deja de tener recursos para el turismo de montaña y el termal. Imagino en diciembre hay un impresionante bullicio en esta zona enclavada a mitad de camino de Junín (Argentina). La emisora tiene muy buena música romántica de lunes a jueves hasta las nueve de la noche y se convierte en una programación bastante relajante. En LA VOZ DE LA COSTA DE OSORNO no dejó de sorprenderme el programa de avisos y comunicados; ello demuestra que la radio sigue siendo ese nudo gordiano de la comunicación en las regiones más aisladas [recordemos que en los últimos terremotos cuando todas las comunicaciones colapsaron, donde la técnica moderna dejó un silencio sepulcral, los radioaficionados con sus modestos equipos de AM supieron comunicar todas las zonas afectadas con inusitada rapidez y entrega; otro tanto les ocurrió a los Japoneses en Fukushima, pero el hombre sigue empeñado en sustituir esa técnica por la que ahora está de moda y en donde las compañías multinacionales de la comunicación hacen su agosto: la digital, TDT, Informática, etc. No es que estemos en contra de la técnica, pero al margen de las emisiones nocivas para la salud que no para de recibir constantes radiaciones tenemos la otra realidad: la ineficacia de esos medios y lo difícil que resulta para el “manitas” volverlos a poner en funcionamiento. Todo lo contrario de la radio tradicional ¿entonces por qué tenemos que plegarnos a unas multitudinarias inversiones que, además, destrozan el paisaje y perjudican nuestra salud y nuestra economía? Porque eso sí, con todas ellas gastas más que con un transistor miniaturizado que tenga la onda corta que unas pilas te permiten transportar al más insospechado lugar y “prender” con total tranquilidad para enterarte de cómo va este endiablado mundo ¿o debemos decir desquiciado? Por cierto, en estos momentos, mientras tecleo estas cuartillas, han dejado de bombardearnos con los temas de Libia, como si aquello ahora fuera el paraíso y rápidamente han saltado a Nigeria ¿ahora se dan cuenta de lo que sucede allí? Demostrándonos bien claramente que en tema de conflictos hay unos intereses que están por encima de la realidad y siempre hay alguien que mueve los hilos. Durante mi etapa viajera por la región, ésta sufrió un considerable temporal de nieve [media Europa habría quedado colapsada porque en algunas zonas daban gruesos de dos metros] que dejó centenares de personas aisladas en las granjas y lugares de invernada, el ejército se vio obligado a lanzar víveres y enseres con helicópteros y aviones para asegurar la supervivencia de animales y personas en plena cordillera. Finalmente una pequeña pincelada a las emisoras oficiales argentinas que llegaban a la región de Chiloé. Sin duda la mejor programación estaba en uno que creo denominaban Poema y Canción: EL TANGO como nudo hacedor de un programa de alta calidad, uno de esos espacios que hace pensar que no todo está perdido en la radio de verdad. Si pueden traten de localizarlo en la parrilla de RADIO NACIONAL DE BUENOS AIRES a media tarde y si mi oreja no me engañó, los responsables parece que eran Susana Renardi y el Profesor Leiva de Marco, en aquellas escuchas se analizó el legado poético de Carlos Castillo. ¡Fabuloso contenido, impecable calidad en la locución y buena distribución de los tiempos! En definitiva una forma de hacer radio para disfrutar como antaño. La radio de la mayoría o LU14 Radio Santa Cruz cubría perfectamente el mundo deportivo y nos daba también mensajes y servicios que son de vital importancia para los diseminados núcleos de población en aquellas latitudes a ambos lados de la cordillera. En los 6060 y a diferentes horas y días entraba la RAE , RN y algo que un día me pareció identificar como Mendoza pero fue tan fugaz que no pude dilucidar si era programación propia o una conexión con la región fronteriza. ¡Lástima que pillé ese trozo cuando estaba finalizando la emisión! Por cierto la radiodifusión china y árabe era la que colonizaba la mayor parte del espectro de la OC en los respectivos idiomas [sólo Radio Internacional de China la capté en castellano por aquello de las noticias, pero iba a “pelo” sin apuntes, sin WRTH: la radio y a mover la frecuencia a ver qué nos da!] Y ahora la anécdota. Un día que dejó de llover momentáneamente (de los ocho pasados en Chiloe todos llovieron), me desplacé a la pequeña aldea de Achao con un microbús (dos diferentes) y un transbordo naval, resultó una interesantísima visita por la Iglesia de madera sin un clavo metálico que allí existe [el archipiélago es precisamente Patrimonio de la Humanidad por las iglesias de madera que se encuentran prácticamente en todos los núcleos habitados y algunas sorprenden por su grandiosidad y belleza interior]. Me olvidé la mochila y cuando se puso a llover fue cuando la noté a faltar [recuerden que ahí debemos llevar lo imprescindible pero nunca cosas de valor por lo que pueda pasar], al regresar a Castro me fui a la Terminal a ver si localizaba al conductor, al final me informaron que todos los conductores tienen un horario fijo, al día siguiente estaba allí a primera hora de la mañana para ver si lo encontraba y nada más verme me saludó y me entregó la mochila. Nada más darse cuenta se molestó en llamar al número que había enganchado en la etiqueta de la compañía aérea pero no logró comunicarse: lo tengo apagado cuando viajo, sólo lo utilizo para emergencia en los aeropuertos españoles. ¡Todo en orden, impecable! Ejemplos como este nos dicen que no todo está perdido en el ser humano. Los informes de recepción se enviaron al regresar a España electrónicamente aprovechando que la mayoría de las estaciones estaban en la red y en septiembre se realizó el envío tradicional con alguna información turística de mi zona. A estas alturas debería de haber alguna respuesta, pero sólo Radio Chiloé ha dado señales de vida [exacto la primera a la que aludo en estas reflexiones], lo que vuelve a confirmarme que “las grandes” corporaciones - y no era el caso de la mayoría de emisoras sintonizadas - les importa un pimiento el que alguien se entretenga en informarles de la escucha aunque esta escape de su estricto marco de referencia. Así que a estas alturas no me hago muchas ilusiones. Del viaje por Mauricio y Reunión ninguna de las emisoras de onda media sintonizadas en este rincón del Índico contestó con lo que podría ser que el diexismo, al menos en cuanto a QSL, esté muerto. En Europa algunas emisoras oficiales los confirman de manera regular, las privadas son más opacas y sólo buscan resultados y, al parecer, unas decenas de euros les salvan los balances. Vamos, lo de siempre, se gastan cifras astronómicas en las más inverosímiles tonterías y no disponen de 200€ para atender a los escasos radioescuchas que les envían informes y esperan una QSL como respuesta [no era mayor el gasto que generaba atender la correspondencia en la época en que realizaba el programa DX en RCE-Radio Juventud de Barcelona, su QSL sigue brillando en las colecciones de los diexistas de la época, algo que otras con mucho más poder no han conseguido. Aunque la historia parece que no les interesa a los que mueven los hilos de la radiodifusión española en estos momentos. ¡Mira que han llegado a ser desconsiderados, algunos técnicos, incluso, se cabrean cuando les escribes reclamando! Se ha perdido el norte. Las normas de cortesía hoy [parece ser] forman parte de eso que llaman “mala educación”. ¡Vamos progresando! Mientras tanto les dejo una veintena de fotos, lamentablemente muy oscuras, recordemos que era pleno invierno cuando yo estaba viajando: llovía, nevaba y toda clase de inclemencias así que tampoco ayudaba en las tomas. Aunque sinceramente nada que ver con las del año pasado, la Toshiba , por mucha marca que sea, denota que ya no es lo mismo. Los documentos gráficos por tanto no reflejan cabalmente la realidad de los paisajes, las tomas no son de lo mejor pero al menos algunas emisoras, que rara vez vemos en los boletines DX, fueron descubiertas en los más variopintos lugares, la mayoría son de la FM. Aunque traté de localizar Radio Patagonia Internacional [la QSL histórica está colgada en la GALERÍA DE LA AER] la dirección que constaba en el sobre no correspondía y allí encontré RADIO VENTISQUERO. Coyhaique es una coqueta ciudad patagónica donde las nieves, casi perpetuas, configuran un particular paisaje, fue la zona en la que ya me daba la vuelta, en esta ocasión a través de Argentina y en donde los servicios aduaneros de uno y otro lado dejan mucho que desear: Santa Cruz, Chubut, Neuquén, Río Negro, Junín, etc. Eso sí, debo señalar que hay vida más allá de lo estrictamente señalado en las guías, incluso poblaciones y puertos que nunca había visto reflejados en la cartografía de la región y unos paisajes sorprendentes. ¡Merece la pena dejarse llevar! Gracias amigos chilenos por todo cuando recibí en ese largo periplo austral y feliciten a sus cocineras por el inolvidable “curanto”; aunque tampoco olvido los erizos, locos, zapatones, choritos y un sinfín de especies de extraordinario sabor (JUAN FRANCO CRESPO, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. CRI and CNR B-11 schedule from Nagoya DX Circle http://www1.s2.starcat.ne.jp/ndxc/cn/crib11.htm http://www1.s2.starcat.ne.jp/ndxc/cn/cnrb11.htm 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 3990, Gannan PBS, 1420. Presumed. Talk by Chinese man and traditional music. Only this and Xinjiang listed and since it's not // to any Xinjiang outlets, I'd hope it's Gannan. Needs more work. 19 Nov (David Sharp, NSW, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 6060 CHINA PBS-2, Sichuan, presumed 1415. Very interesting string instruments and also flute, possibly Tibetan. Fair. Nov 18. (Harold Sellers, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) You caught a nice one here Harold. Today was about the strongest I have ever heard them. Daily I check on them and indeed they use a variety of languages. Also am able to clearly hear // 7225, but not as strong as 6060. The following may be of interest (google translation): Sichuan People's Radio National frequency (Voice of Golden Bridge), 954 kHz medium wave, shortwave 7225 kHz, 6060 kHz, the only two in Sichuan Province on one of the satellite radio broadcast, has since its launch in 1995, has developed into a national frequency broadcasts 18 hours a day and 5 minutes, with Tibetan, Yi, and three languages, Mandarin, set news, features, and comprehensive art program as a whole, the information content and reports in a timely manner, services and strong, national characteristics and cultural characteristics of strong professional national radio frequencies. Nation frequency program schedule 05:55 start 06:00 Music 06:15 News in minority areas 06:30 CCTV broadcast news and newspaper summary 07:00 Yi News (webcast) 07:15 Yijia topics (webcast) 07:30 News Highlights pastoral language (webcast) 08:00 News Highlights Kamba language (webcast) 08:30 Kamba language feature (webcast) 09:00 Sichuan News 09:30 Jinqiao thirtieth (webcast) 10:00 (News frequency) Tianfu broadcast Voice of punctuality 10:10 (News frequency) sun-government (Monday to Friday) 10:10 (News frequency) happy sport (Saturday and Sunday) 11:00 Snow hits (Monday to Sunday) 11:30 Yijia rhyme (Monday to Sunday) 12:00 Jinqiao thirtieth (webcast) 12:30 Yi News (webcast) 12:45 Yi topics (webcast) 13:00 Kamba language news (webcast) 13:30 News Highlights Kamba language (webcast) 14:00 Kamba language feature (webcast) 14:30 pastoral language news (webcast) 15:00 News Highlights pastoral language (webcast) 15:30 pastoral language feature (webcast) 16:00 comprehensive Tibetan art 17:00 Yi comprehensive literature 18:00 Sichuan News Network 18:30 News in minority areas (webcast) (premiere) 18:45 Yi News (webcast) 19:00 Kamba language news (webcast) 19:30 pastoral language news (webcast) 20:00 pastoral language feature (webcast) 20:30 "Yijia cottage" integrated forum program 22:00 Tibetan art (taped) 23:00 Yi art 00:00 Tibetan art 01:00 end of the day broadcast (webcast) Websites of interest: http://www.wodaole.com/diantai4709.html http://www.9bo.org/radio/AM954.html (Ron Howard, San Francisco, dxld yg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks, Ron. Yes, after I returned home and discovered there is the 7225 frequency as well, I made a note to check that next time (Harold Sellers, ibid.) Hi Harold, You might be interested to know that years ago I often heard their "This is the Voice of Golden Bridge" ID, per attachment. Has been many years since I last heard an English ID at 1000 or 1030 :(( (Ron Howard, San Francisco, ibid.) ** CHINA. [INTRUDER ALERT] Chinese OTHR on 7 MHz --- 6760-7040 kHz - Chinese OTH Radar with 43.5 sweeps/sec on Nov. 18th at 2100 UT. We were not amused. Visit: http://www.iarums-r1.org 73 (Wolf, DK2OM, INTRUDERALERT via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) I assume is the one which usually stays just below 7000 (gh, DXLD) ** CHINA [and non]. Lunedì 14 novembre 2011, 0850 - 13850 // 13970 kHz, FIREDRAKE vs. SOUND OF HOPE TAIWAN (not heard), Segnale sufficiente-insufficiente (Luca Botto Fiora, G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Logs for the 17th of November: 9200 Firedragon heard at 1220 with S5 (Zacharias Liangas, Thessaloniki, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Nov 18, before 1400: 16100, very good with flutter at 1356 15445, barely detectable at 1334, but I think it`s FD vs the het from 15443, no doubt V. of Tibet via Tajikistan on typical offset frequency 14700, poor at 1357 13920, very good with flutter at 1357 12600, very good at 1357; none in the 11s, 10s, 9s, 8s, 7s by 1400 Before 1500: 14700, good at 1437 12600, good at 1437 9200, poor at 1440 Firedrake November 18, before 2330: 13920, fair with flutter at 2318; none higher before 2318, but I may have started tuning down too soon 9200, fair at 2325, with QRM from 9199.0-USB, sounds like English, American military, but then it stopped; no FD in the 12s, 11s, 10s Before 2400, all with flutter: 17170, good at 2356 16700, good at 2356 15900, very good at 2357 13920, fair at 2358 Also, equally strong CNR1 on 15550 at 2357, a jammer too. HFCC shows Beijing starting at 0000, but it so happens that IBB Chinese via Tinian is also on 15550 at 23-24 only. Note: a great many of our Firedrake logs are likely from the Kashgar, EAST TURKISTAN [q.v.] site, based on propagation similarities to registered overt CRI transmissions, but we have no way of knowing for sure, and SARFT isn`t telling. Nov 19, before 0700: 9200, fair at 0655 11500, fair at 0655 14700, poor at 0653 15900, poor at 0650 16100, very poor at 0651 16700, poor at 0650 16980, poor at 0650 17170, very poor at 0651 Before 1500: 9200, good at 1434. Did not perform a complete bandscan at this time Firedrake Nov 19, before 2400: 11500, poor at 2346; none in the 10s, 12s 13920, good at 2346 14700, very poor at 2343 14970, very good with flutter at 2344 15970, very good with flutter at 2344 16100, fair at 2344 16700, fair at 2344 16980, fair at 2344 17170, fair at 2345 Nov 20, before 1400: 9200, fair at 1352 before 1500: 12600, very poor at 1455, also CW QRM; none higher 12230, poor at 1455 9200, fair at 1456; none in the 11s, 10s, 8s, 7s Firedrake Nov 20, before 2400: 11500, very poor with flutter at 2336 12600, fair at 2338 12670, fair at 2338 13970, very poor with het at 2340 14700, fair with flutter at 2340; none in the 15s 16980, fair at 2343; none in the 17s, 18s (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) MUSIC ON SW --- Hey. Just heard the end of an interesting music show. It sounded like traditional Chinese music in 12230 kHz. Transmission ended at 1000 UT. I heard a male and female giving what sounded like an ID in Chinese, but not sure if Cantonese or Mandarin. VERY good music and audio, fair signal. Do you know what that could be? (GEORGE THURMAN, Houston TX, Nov 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi George, I certainly do. This is Firedrake, musical jamming from China, heard on many, many different frequencies and this is one of them. See my daily log reports. The bit of Chinese sometimes happens at the end when they slip and don`t cut off the transmitter in time. In almost all cases, Firedrake stops at the top of the hour and resumes 15-20 minutes later, not necessarily on the same frequency. 73, (Glenn to George, via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Nov 21 before 1400: 11500, good at 1353; none lower 12230, good at 1353 12600, fair at 1354 13130, good at 1356; none in the 14s, 15s 13970, fair at 1354 16100, poor at 1359; none in the 17s, 18s before 1400 Before 1500: 9200, poor at 1434, but mixing with Chinese talk, presumably Sound of Hope itself. Firedrake Nov 22, before 1400: 9200, very good at 1327 12600, fair at 1344; none in the 10s, 11s 13130, fair at 1345; haven`t heard this one for a while; none in the 14s, 15s, 16s, 17s, 18s before 1400 Firedrake Nov 23, before 0700: 13130, poor at 0643; none lower 13920, good at 0643; none higher Before 1400: 11500, JBA at 1354; none lower 12670, very good at 1355; none in the 13s, 14s, 16s, 17s 15455, fair at 1357 --- unusual spot, presumably because V. of Tibet was 2 or 3 kHz away at this time, lite het audible. 15455 is an otherwise good clear frequency, only used two hours a day by FEBC 18180, very good at 1359-1400* (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. Mika y Jim en Colombia --- Al momento de la publicación de esta nota, se encuentran ya de vuelta a su país los colegas diexistas finlandeses Mika Makelainen y Jim Solatie; quienes durante la última semana estuvieron de visita en Colombia, el domingo pasado los recibí en el Aeropuerto El Dorado en una noche lluviosa y fria típica del mes de Noviembre en Bogotá; ya que el día siguiente, lunes, fue festivo tuve la oportunidad de compartir con ellos un recorrido turistico por el centro hístorico de la capital colombiana, que también estuvo pasado por agua. El objetivo de este viaje fue el obtener verificación a imnumerables reportes enviados a emisoras colombianas, en especial de las cadenas Caracol y RCN; así tuvieron visitas a las oficinas centrales de estas y otras emisoras en Bogotá; y como todo no puede ser DX, estuvieron también la ciudad de Barranquilla( aquí también visitaron emisoras) y disfrutarón del Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Ya Mika publicará las memorias de este viaje en su página web http://www.dxing.info donde también pueden ver la experiencias DX de estos colegas a través de sus expediciones. Buenos Dx (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá D.C. - COLOMBIA más en http://dxdesdecolombia.blogspot.com/ Nov 20, condiglist y g via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 6010.08, LV de tu Conciencia, 0825-0840, English religious talk with Spanish translations. Slightly distorted audio. Poor with QRM from weak station on 6009.95. Probably Radio Mil. Nov 19 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** COLOMBIA. ACCIÓN MILITAR DEJA SIN EMISORA A LAS FARC Tropas del Ejército colombiano dejaron sin emisora de radio a las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) en una operación en la que la sede de las transmisiones fue descubierta y desmantelada. Agencia EFE Frente Antonio Nariño FARC-EP frentean.blogspot.com/ "La Voz de la Resistencia", nombre de la singular y clandestina emisora rebelde, fue ubicada en zona rural del municipio de Cubarral, en el departamento del Meta (centro este). Esa radio, según un comunicado de la XIII Brigada del Ejército, pertenecía al llamado "bloque oriental Jorge Briceño Suárez", y había estado al aire "desde hace al menos 15 años". La fuente recordó que esa radio había sido desmantelada en otra operación por tropas de la misma brigada en abril de 2010, "pero hace algunos meses había sido reinstalada por los insurgentes". El lugar era custodiado y operado por guerrilleros de una compañía "La Emisora", que pertenecen al frente 53 de la principal guerrilla colombiana. Además, durante la llamada "Operación Fuerte" fueron localizados nueve campamentos con capacidad para albergar entre 30 y 50 rebeldes y contaban con habitaciones, cocinas, hornos y lavaderos. En uno de esos campamentos fueron encontrados "los elementos empleados para el funcionamiento de la emisora: un computador, una impresora, un dinamo, tres micrófonos, una consola, dos trasmisores, un audífono, un amplificador, y cargadores para computador", detalló el informe militar. La sede de la "La Voz de la Resistencia" estaba protegida con 60 artefactos explosivos improvisados, y en el lugar fueron hallados también unos 12 kilos y medio de pólvora negra, seis latas de soldadura líquida, unos 12 kilos más de sustancias explosivas y metralla. La "emisora de las FARC", recordaron las fuentes de esa brigada en el comunicado, "ha tenido cobertura en los municipios de La Uribe, La Macarena, Vista Hermosa, Granada, San José del Guaviare, Mapiripán en el departamento del Meta, y el páramo del Sumapaz en Cundinamarca, entre otros". En sus 15 años al aire "ha sido fundamental para el adoctrinamiento político, mantener en alto la moral de los guerrilleros y lanzar a la vez fuertes críticas a las instituciones del Estado", remarcó el mismo comunicado. No se informó de enfrentamientos ni detenciones. FUENTE: http://bit.ly/uSpC8C también: Jorge García Rangel, http://bit.ly/sd93nO NOTA: Reportada por el amigo, Rafael Rodriguez (dxdesdecolombia.blogspot.com), en Bogota, el pasado 27 de Junio 2011: CLANDESTINA, Voz de la Resistencia, CRB operando los días domingos entre las 1200-1300 UT por los 6070 y durante las tardes del mismo día 2100-2200 a través de los 6080 kHz. Por indicaciones operada por el Comando Conjunto de Occidente. No escuchada en otros horarios o días Luego del 5 de Julio 2011: 6070 VOZ DE LA RESISTENCIA. Clandestina. Colombia. 1202-1258. Reactivacion. A las 1202 con el himno de la FARC, para luego una programacion basada en música revolucionaria, opiniones sobre el acontecer nacional, partes de guerra y saludos por 47 aniversario. Una señal fuerte y clara, en onda corta no habia reseña de emisiones desde principios del año 2004; cuando por el Plan Colombia, la guerrilla se replejo hacia zonas fronterizas donde empezo a utilizar transmisiones en FM. Hubo poco detalles sobre algun horario de transmision aunque mencionaron proximas emisiones, por alguna mencion parece estar siendo operada por el Comando Conjunto de Occidente "...al aire CRB, cadena radial bolivariana Voz de la Resistencia, transmitiendo desde la cordillera de los Andes, rincón de lucha por la dignidad y la libertad..." Sorprende la utilización de una frecuencia dentro de la banda cuando ha sido tradición de este tipo de emsiones el utilizar frecuencias por fuera de la banda; para el año 2004 utilizaban los 6239 kHz aprox. E incluso, el colega Mauno Ritola, me pregunta... 8 noviembre 2011: Hola Yimber, have you noticed LV de la Resistencia on the air recently on 6070 kHz? Thank you and 73, Mauno y nuevamente el 15 noviembre 2011: Gracias. I mean if you can hear them at all nowadays or if they have gone inactive again. Mauno (all via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, Nov 19, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA [and non]. 17800, Sunday Nov 20 at 1517, REE big signal in fútbol discussion, about one second behind weaker // 17755 direct, and strong // 17595 direct from SPAIN. Cariari relay is supposed to be on 17850! Must have punched the wrong frequency starting at 1400; still 17800 at 1553. Fortunately, no harm done so far, as Bulgaria`s registrations on 17800 for 14-15 AM and 14-15 DRM are wooden. But it will be a big problem at 18-19, when DW Hausa is on via MADAGASCAR. 1812 check: they`ve fixed it by now, with REE back on 17850 and DW in the clear on 17800, whew (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CROATIA [non non]. 7370, Nov 22 at 0658 soft rock music, 0700 Voice of Croatia ID and English news by American accent, interrupted by stingers. Good sufficient signal, but nothing like the relays until 0600 on 7375 via Wertachtal, tho both are now 100 kW, 7370 being 320 degrees at 0700-1650, not intended for NAm. English news is scheduled for only 3 minutes M-F at 07, 11 and 13 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. [Re 11-46] 671 kHz: November 19, 2011, 0130 GMT. Rebelde audio fairly decent at times. So there you go on who it is. Write it off and move on to the next *uc*-up. We are all amused and appreciate, for all of these errors create great joy fun DX opportunities. So, the last laugh is on Arnaldo, as we publish all these errors on the Internet for the world to read (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Seems like the 671 kHz carrier was missing after the first two nights, but it`s back UT Nov 19 around 0030 UT as I was driving back and forth to the nearest fast food joint, where I had an 11-minute 0022-0033 wait for one burger, unlike a very irate customer who stormed in from his car, still unserved after 26 minutes. If I had used the drive- thru, I could have listened to the het just as long! It was still going at 0441 re check. We may safely assume it is far more annoying to Dentro-Cubans trying to hear 50 kW R. Rebelde on one of its prime MW frequencies, established on 670 really to block WWFE in Florida. Terry Krueger in Clearwater FL has the 671 answer an hour later Nov 19 at 0130: ``Rebelde audio, fairly decent at times.`` During the daytime on Nov 15 he could get the carrier, but no audio; so it had to be from western Cuba, no further east than 50 miles from Habana. Slightly stronger into the evening. But not heard night of UT November 16. He hears a second Rebelde on 670 besides Arroyo Arenas. WRTH 2011 shows one of those, and one R. Reloj on 670, with no location. Let`s check the Reloj website itself: http://www.radioreloj.cu/index.php/programacion-de-la-emisora-radio-reloj/72-cadenas-de-trasmision-de-radio-reloj-por-am No 670 outlet listed there; what do they know? Albert Lehr replied earlier via the ABDX group: ``I heard a weak carrier on 671 kHz in Livermore, California at 0310 UT 11/16. The bearing from here is about 110 degrees, possibly skewed a little on my indoor loop. The carrier is within 1 Hz of being exactly on 671 kHz. This may be a repeat of the Cuban experiment in the fall of 2007 on 1181 kHz.`` More reports of it tonight UT Nov 19 on the ABDX list: ``HUGE 1 kHz upper-sidetone heterodyne on 670 from the 671 kHz carrier tonight. Loops almost due south-north. I'll have to see if it is present during the day while looping that direction since I get many Cubanos day and night. BTW, I now live in Buras, LA, even further out into the Gulf of Mexico. -Darwin Long`` ``EVEN further out into the Gulf, Darwin? Stay dry, Buddy! DX isn't worth your life ;-) . The tone is audible here in St. Louis, Missouri, loud but not overwhelming. It more or less seems to peak at the exact same times Cuba overtakes my semi-local WSCR Chicago (which happens a lot). I'm wondering openly if it's a parasite/unintentional spur of some sort from the Cuban transmitter? Earl Higgins, St. Louis, Missouri, USA``, 0443 UT Nov 19 ``Re 671 kHz: The tone on 670 is much louder here in Tulsa tonite (2030 CST 18 NOV 11 [0230 UT 19 NOV]) than previously heard. No DF capabilities here, unfortunately. Bruce Winkelman AA5CO, Tulsa, OK`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I am actually able to receive a faint 671 kHz carrier DURING THE DAY from this locale (Buras, LA). Still loops N-S. Now it could also be daytime skip, as its strength varies a bit through the day. There are three stations audible during the day on 670 here, one from Florida (WWFE), one from Alabama, (WYLS), and one from Cuba. Nighttime is strong Cuban and strong WSCR, along with the 1 kHz sidetone (Darwin Long, Buras, LA, Nov 20, ABDX via DXLD) 1 kHz het coming through pretty strong here with little fade. Unid SS station on 670 dominating with WCSR in the null. Het nulls at 160* +/- 10* from Sioux Falls, SD (Tim Hills, Sioux Falls, SD, 0533 UT Nov 21, ibid.) ** CUBA. Finally 'official' RHC B-11 schedule. Radio Habana Cuba - Horarios, Bandas y Frequencias De Noviembre de 2011 a Marzo de 2012. TRANSMISIONES EN ESPANOL PERIODO B-11 Noviembre de 2011 a Marzo 2012 Zonas Geográficas Beam to: No,Ce,SoAM 6150 kHz / 49 m 1200-1300 UT No,Ce,SoAM 11760 kHz / 25 m 1200-1600 y 0100-0600 UT New York 6010 kHz / 49 m 1200-1300 UT New York 6060 kHz / 49 m 0000-0500 y 0100-0600 UT New York 11840 kHz / 25 m 1200-1600 UT San Francisco 13780 kHz / 22 m 1300-1600 UT Chicago 6140 kHz / 49 m 1200-1300 UT Chicago 9850 kHz / 31 m 1300-1600 UT CeAM 9540 kHz / 31 m 1200-1600 y 2200-0600 [sic; really 9810 for the evening broadcast --- gh] CeAM 11750 kHz / 25 m 1300-1600 UT Antilles 6120 kHz / 49 m 0000-0600 UT Antilles 9710 kHz / 31 m 2200-2400 UT Antilles 11690 kHz / 25 m 1200-1600 UT Rio de Janeiro 9740 kHz / 31 m 0000-0500 UT Rio de Janeiro 15380 kHz / 19 m 1200-1600 UT Buenos Aires 13670 kHz / 22 m 1200-1600 UT Buenos Aires 13690 kHz / 22 m 2200-0500 UT Buenos Aires 15230 kHz / 19 m 1200-1600 y 2200-0600 UT Chile 11840 kHz / 25 m 2200-0600 UT Europe 13640 kHz / 22 m 2200-2400 UT Tropical Band NVIS antenna 5040 kHz / 60 m 2100-2300 y 0100-0500 UT [sic! really -2400 & 0200-0600 --- gh] to Cuba, Caribe, USA, Canada, Mexico, Ce America, and Northern SoAmerica. Alo Presidente, Sunday special from Venezuela. [IMAGINARY!!! gh] Chicago 13750 kHz / 22 m 1400-1800 UT Central America13680 kHz / 22 m 1400-1800 UT Antillas 11690 kHz / 25 m 1400-1800 UT Buenos Aires 15370 kHz / 19 m 1400-1800 UT Rio de Janeiro 17750 kHz / 19 m 1400-1800 UT Mesa Redonda Internacional, Monday-Friday night special. Washington 6000 kHz / 49 m 2230-2400 UT Chicago 9660 kHz / 31 m 2230-2400 UT [more like 2330-0100, time varies and not always on at all --- gh] TRANSMISIONES EN VARIOS IDIOMAS PERIODO B-11 Noviembre de 2011 a Marzo 2012 Zonas Geográficas Beam to: TRANSMISIONES EN IDIOMA INGLES/English No/Ce/SoAmerica 6125 kHz / 49 m 0500-0700 UT NoCe/SoAmerica 11760 kHz / 25 m 2000-2100 UT New York 6060 kHz / 49 m 0500-0700 UT San Francisco 6010 kHz / 49 m 0500-0700 UT Chicago 6050 kHz / 49 m 0100-0700 UT Washington 6000 kHz / 49 m 0100-0500 UT Banda Tropical 5040 kHz / 60 m 0000-0100 UT TRANSMISIONES EN IDIOMA FRANCES/French Europe 13640 kHz / 22 m 1930-2000 UT NoCe/SoAmerica 11760 kHz / 25 m 2100-2130 UT SoAmerica 15370 kHz / 19 m 2230-2300 UT - except Sun Banda Tropical 5040 kHz / 60 m 0130-0200 UT TRANSMISIONES EN IDIOMA PORTUGUES Rio de Janeiro 15370 kHz / 19 m 2330-2400 UT Buenos Aires 15230 kHz / 19 m 2300-2400 UT Europe 13640 kHz / 22 m 2000-2030 UT TRANSMISIONES EN IDIOMA Arabe/Arabic Europe 13640 kHz / 22 m 2030-2100 UT TRANSMISIONES EN IDIOMA ESPERANTO, Sunday only San Francisco 6010 kHz / 49 m 0700-0730 UT NoCe/SoAmerica 11760 kHz / 25 m 1600-1630 UT SoAmerica 15370 kHz / 19 m 2230-2300 UT - see French TRANSMISIONES EN IDIOMA CREOLE Buenos Aires 15370 kHz / 19 m 2300-2330 UT Banda Tropical 5040 kHz / 60 m 0100-0130 UT TRANSMISIONES EN IDIOMA QUECHUA Buenos Aires 15370 kHz / 19 m 0000-0030 UT (RHC schedule XLS.File Rosario Lafita Fernández via Gerard Koopal-HOL, via wwdxc Nov 16 via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) Compare to http://www.radiohc.cu/de-interes/frecuencias.html which is not necessarily any more accurate, but --- This has several obvious(?) errors in it. Thanks also to José Bueno, Spain who forwarded yet another version sent to him by Arnaldo Coro Nov 18 (gh, DXLD) Viz.: [and non]. 5745, Nov 18 at 1152, R. Martí is VG with NO jamming, unlike // 5980 and 6030 walls of noise. ``Official`` B-11 RHC schedules are now circulating, sent out by Arnie Coro and by the correspondence department. We`ve spotted several errors in them, and they don`t match what`s on the website. Don`t you believe any listed RHC frequency until you axually monitor it. True to form, RHC never manages to get its act 100% together. In wake of RHC distributing its alleged B-11 schedule, I check a few things Nov 18: at 2322, mainstream is on 9810 and stronger 9710, no 9540, while separate Mesa Redonda is on 9660. Arnie`s schedule lists two overlapping entries for ``9540``: 22-06 for América Central, and 24-05 [sic] for Rio de Janeiro. That does not make sense. By 0442, the two 31m channels I hear are 9740 and 9810, neither of which are on his schedule, and NOT 9540 or 9540. Maybe a change is forthcoming? Or maybe Arnie just doesn`t know what the transmitters are transmitting, or vice versa. But his most valuable volunteer monitor abroad does. As of early UT Nov 19, the website Spanish schedule http://www.radiohc.cu/de-interes/frecuencias.html lists 9810: 22-06 América Central 9710: 22-24 Caribe, then 6120 at 24-06 9740: 24-05 Suramérica 9540: 12-16 América Central - only time for it This is closer to correctness, and at 0521 I also confirm that 6120 is on in Spanish, despite 6125 having started at 0500 in English (ex- 6150). So another anomaly: RHC is now 5 kHz apart with two separate programs for an hour. That beats 10 kHz apart with same programs (6050/6060 English). Back at 2359 as I tuned in 11840, a frequency announcement was just concluding with ``5040``. If that was supposed to be useful right then, it`s not, for 5040 had just split from Spanish, and after 0000 UT Nov 19 opening in --- Creole! Not English as I had confirmed a few nights earlier in the 00-01 hour. The schedule Arnie has sent out is all mixed up about 5040, showing Spanish at 21-23 and 01-05, which was the A-11 timing when 23-01 was occupied by English hour, then Creole and French. But despite the Spanish times shown, the new sked does have English at 00-01 and Creole/French at 01-02. But that`s not what we axually heard! So have the Englishy and Frenchy hours been swapped? Or was this a one-night SNAFU? I missed checking what was really on at 01-02 Nov 19 on 5040. Once again as in season after season, if you want to know RHC`s REAL schedule, consult my monitoring reports, not what RHC e-mails or puts on its website. Nov 19 at 1600 on 11760, I catch the complete RHC Spanish frequency announcement, which says they are ``continuing`` as follows: 15380, 15230 until 16 9540 until 16 13-16 on 9850 13670 to 16, and also 13780, 13670 [sic] 11760, 11840, 11690 until 16 From *13 on 11750 until 16* plus ``audio Real`` [non] 1601 into NA and off the air from all frequencies. This was apparently a generic announcement which should have been played earlier in the 4- hour morning block, not when they are finishing it, duh! At least it deals with the new frequencies. 15230, Nov 19 at 2342, RHC in Brazilian Portuguese with short/long path echo, i.e. a 38-megameter trip round the globe. 13690, Nov 19 at 2357 I tune in early enough to catch the RHC frequency announcement, picking a channel that is not likely to be cut off in the middle of it, while // 13640 might be as the European service is closing: only ones given are ``13640, 13690, 11840, 9540, 9710, 5040``. At 2358 I quickly verified which 31m channels were really on the air: 9810, 9740, 9710, and NOT 9540 which appears erroneously on evening schedules, while really just mornings. 9740 was strongest and 9710 was the first to go off. So they`re still totally confused. Then at 0000 UT Nov 20 I switch to 5040, and it is opening in English, unlike 24 hours earlier when it was Creole; so apparently English as in new schedule is still supposed to be at 00-01 if the tapes aren`t mixed up. 13750, Nov 20 at 1357, this Sunday I tune in early enough to tell whether RHC is colliding with VOA Spanish until 1400: Yes, VOA barely audible underneath huge RHC // 13675 and 13780. There is no reason whatsoever for RHC to run 13750 on Sundays only --- it was originally for the Venezuelan relay which has been gone for five months and only sporadically before that. The 13750 transmitter is apparently the same one used weekdays on 9850, now missing. At 1404, 13750 dead air, about to turn off? No, at 1436 it`s remodulating as `En Contacto` #47 for 2011y is starting its new time until 1450 // 13670, 13780, et al., but 9850 still missing. Meanwhile, by 1411, weaker 9540 was audible in the clear, after being blown away by WHRI during the previous hour Sundays only. Pedro Sedano`s monthly DX report from Zaragoza, Spain was featured, lamenting that two more stations have (almost) dropped Spanish on SW: LV de Grecia except for 5 minutes a week [when??, due to no longer relaying R. Filia], and Bible Voice Broadcasting which used to have a Sunday semihour via Germany [no loss there]. He also referred to B-11 as having started on Oct 25 --- no, it was Oct 30, always the last Sunday of October, which in 2009y was indeed Oct 25. BTW, 13750 had some ACI from Cuba`s CRI relay on 13740 when it was playing music, despite perpetual undermodulation. 11840, Nov 20 at 2337, RHC is about 2 minutes into this week`s `En Contacto` as heard earlier entirely at 1436-1450, i.e. started at 2335 this Sunday, unlike 2345 last Sunday. So amend the schedules to tune in by 2335 in case they repeat the earlier start. Of course :35 past whatever hour should be nominal but they have previously run it later during this program block, and even omitted it from published schedules. 5980, 0713-0723, Radio Martí, Greenville, 20/11, Spanish, OM/YL dialogues about Cuba, Cuban songs - fair and even better with local noise and periodic CW QRM during 13 seconds (each minute), // 6030 weak under Cuban noise jamming (Mikhail Timofeyev, DSWCI member no. 2987 http://dxcorner.narod.ru Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: Long wire (30 m), St. Petersburg, Russia, HCDX via DXLD) 7405, Nov 20 at 2219, rock song in English, what`s this? O, just R. Martí since it`s // 9565 tho 7405 jamming is lite if at all, unlike an hour later. Dentro-Cuban jamming survey Nov 21: 6030, at 0620 similar mix to 9955, but pulsing at slower rate; vs nothing as this is UT Monday when R. Martí takes a 6-hour break 04-10 9955, at 0617, whine-and-grind-and pulsing, no WRMI audible 15050, noise jamming at 1400 --- oops, that`s DRM: see INDIA 18090, at 1400, lite pulse jamming, 3rd harmonic of 6030 11840, Nov 21 at 1351, RHC with usual good carrier level (second only to 11760 on this band), but just barely modulated, lowering it to on a par with the weak signals on // 11690, 11750. Wiggle that patchcord! 5040, Nov 22 at 0015 check, for the third night in a row, RHC is in English, the correct language now according to its own schedule instead of Creole as on Nov 19. 5980, Nov 22 at 0705, R. Martí very good signal from Greenville with absolutely no jamming, plugging http://etecsa.biz = http://martinoticias.com as a slap in the face to the DentroCuban controlled media and telecomms agency ETECSA. Meanwhile, wall-of-noise blocking // 6030 and 7405. But mochuelos nocturnos can hear RM with no problem on 5980. Cuba also still jamming 5955 against long-gone R. República, instead QRMing R. Nederland in Dutch, 220 degrees from Nauen, GERMANY during this 07 hour. 9540, Nov 22 at 1331, RHC has imposed a big hum upon its poor signal here, to go with co-channel QRM causing a SAH. Wiggle that patchcord! Aoki shows the understation as CRI Chinese via Kunming (on Sundays only RHC becomes the understation to WHRI). 11840, Nov 22 at 1342 we find this RHC frequency undermodulated, much less than // 11760. 11930, Nov 22 at 1343, also no jamming yet here against R. Martí, apparently DCJC still not having fully comprehended its B-11 schedule. At 1408, 11930 is over jamming, 13820 under jamming. 9540, Nov 23 at 1349, no RHC to be heard on one of its minor transmitters, just something in Chinese, listed as CRI westward from Kunming. Missing from 11690 too, but still on 9850, 11750, 11760, 11840, 13670, 13780, 15380 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DIEGO GARCIA. 12759-USB, 1222-1239* American Forces Network, Diego Garcia, 20/11, English, OM talk - strong signal, but almost unintelligible muffled audio. Sent them an email about this problem (Mikhail Timofeyev, DSWCI member no. 2987 http://dxcorner.narod.ru Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: Long wire (30 m), St. Petersburg, Russia, HCDX via DXLD) ** EAST TURKISTAN. 15620, Nov 19 at 0649, 19m is hopping in the nightmiddle, Italian here from CRI, sufficient signal with Chinese language lesson via Kashgar. There were also a number of CRI signals on 16m, probably same site in morning services for Europe (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also CHINA re Firedrake Having noted entries such as the above for some time now, it seems it is long past time to set the record straight on the erroneous use of the term EAST TURKISTAN. There is no such "radio country" as East Turkistan. In the wider world -- except among militant Uyghur separatists and their supporters -- there is no current standard geo-political usage of the name East Turkistan, either as the name of a country or part of a country. Standard references to the region Glenn chooses to call East Turkistan are: Xijiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the Peoples' Republic of China. In normal usage, generally this is shortened to Xinjiang and China, respectively. East Turkistan is "a controversial political term invented by Russian Turkologists in the 19th Century." It has negative connotations because of its origins in European colonialism. Currently, Uyghur militants have used the name as a political substitute name for the region or for a possible future independent state. For obvious reasons, its use also is discouraged by the PRC. Glenn repeatedly has chosen, either by personal whim or to make a personal political statement, to use the incorrect term, East Turkistan in reports to NASWA and elsewhere. My political views, and Glenn's actually may not be far apart on this issue. But neither has any relevance or place in NASWA. Most DXers agree that personal political views are out of place in a radio hobby venue. I believe Glenn knows full well the political import of his use of the term. Some others may not. Given the long and widely accepted notion that personal political views ought not creep into our hobby venue, I hope that others, if not Glenn, will avoid the use of East Turkistan in future reports. –don (Don Jensen, NASWA yg via DXLD) Don is the chairman of the NASWA Country List Committee, so what he says goes as far as NASWA awards and scoreboards are concerned. Please call it whatever you like or merge it with China as the ChiCom have done, while I call it what I like. BTW, I am not alone --- one of the major SW references, the Aoki list classifies it separately from China as TKS, which has confused some other folk. It mainly (exclusively?) applies to SW sites Kashi/Kashgar, and Urumqi/Wulumuchi. [not ``Urumqui`` -- even Aoki misspells it] The CLC accepts countries which no longer exist, Manchuria, Tibet and Hong Kong as distinct radio countries from China under the peculiar rules established to maximize SW countries and to be fair to oldtimers who heard them when they were really independent of China. Thus I think it is no stranger for me to accept countries which do not yet exist, but ought to and well might some day. (Others include Kurdistan, Palestine). Broadly speaking, we should support separatism wherever we can, since it will lead to more radio countries! Would Don be willing to accept the same area as distinct by calling it Xinjiang [correct spelling] instead of East Turkistan? The ChiCom are no more willing to let you consider Taiwan separate from the PRC, but I assume you have no problem with that. `East Turkistan` is ``erroneous`` only because you and the ChiCom say it is. Aoki and I say it isn`t. If this is offensive to the ChiCom, good! They offend me by, for example, carrying out extensive jamming and, hardly different, excessive transmitter and frequency use. Since I do not `collect` countries, have no idea how many I have heard or verified, nor do I collect `awards`, I am freed from any constraints in dividing up the world as makes most sense to me. Shortwave broadcasting is a highly politicized medium, as anyone who listens to program content would soon conclude. Thus I also have no problem with expressing political views in relation to SW issues. In case you haven`t noticed, I express political views other than this. If I could not, SWLing/DXing would lose most of its interest for me. Please feel free to disregard anything I say that you dislike or disagree with. The Flashsheet does a pretty good job of stripping opinions, tho often at the expense of needed detail on the log. But I am not trying to persuade anyone to see it my way, or requiring them to follow strict guidelines of controlled speech and nomenclature, merely showing by example. To each his own. 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) No one relishes this sort of discussion carried out in a public venue, but Glenn's continued errors require further clarifications. But this will end it from my standpoint. Contrary to Glenn, his incorrect use of the East Turkistan name has nothing to do with the NASWA Country List Committee, nor does it relate to the list. Other than the observation that East Turkistan (or for that matter, Xinjiang) is not considered a NASWA "radio country," no reference was made to the list or to my role as chair of the five-person CLC. My comments about Glenn's erroneous use of the controversial, politically fraught name were made as an individual DXer interested in seeing that such errors don't creep into THE JOURNAL. I commend editors Steve Handler and Scott Barbour for recent their efforts to promote consistency in the use of standard terms in THE JOURNAL Log Reports. This improves clarity and reduces confusion, both highly desirable goals for a DX publication. Non-standard terms, and especially non-standard erroneous language does just the opposite. Glnn's self-indulgent comment, "I call it what I like," is not surprising. My comments on the erroneous use of of the name East Turkistan were were not made with any expectation that Glenn would accept correction. My intent was, simply, that others too might see East Turkistan merely as Glenn's personal political whim and would avoid it in their own reports to THE JOURNAL. He's welcome to refer to Xinjiang, or Enid, OK, for that matter, as the Land of Oz, but that doesn't make it fact, nor does it necessarily mean either is populated by flying monkeys. Opinion is not equivalent to fact, even if it is Glenn's opinion. It is amusing that Glenn can only come up with AOKI to "sort of" support his mistake and that he resorts to lumping me together with the "ChiComs" on the "bad side." Strange bedfellows! Glenn chooses to ignore that others not agreeing with his East Turkistan "conceit" would include the likes of the Encyclopedia Britannica, National Geographic, Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, Rand McNally, The Royal Geographical Society, the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) and virtually every geography professor on the face of the planet. Now let's get back to DXing (Don Jensen, ibid.) So? Axually, I got the idea from the Aoki list. I am unfazed. Don appears to be suffering from a really bad case of conformism. By saying this had nothing to do with the NASWA country list, Don avoids addressing my logical arguments (gh, DXLD) 15220, Nov 22 at 0655, very poor signal of Chinese lesson in French, so CRI as scheduled 06-08, 500 kW, 308 degrees from Kashgar to France. Despite one recent log during same hour which seemed to be RFI, unscheduled. 15245, CRI German via Wulumuchi also audible weaker. Pace Don Jensen of NASWA, who objects to my reporting Wulumuchi and Kashgar sites as E.T. rather than plain old China. Would XINJIANG be better? I don`t mind if editors reclassify these logs under CHINA, as some already do, if they prefer to endorse ChiCom imperialism (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR [non]. CHILE, B-11 for HCJB Global Voice via SGO=Santiago: German to Brasil 2300-2400 on 9835 SGO 050 kW / 045 deg Kulina to Brasil 2245-2300 on 11920 SGO 050 kW / 025 deg Portuguese to Brasil 2300-0045 on 11920 SGO 050 kW / 025 deg (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, 22 Nov via DXLD) ** EGYPT. 6270, Nov 18 at 2331, R. Cairo in English about architecture of the pyramids, which should be a safe subject in these uncertain contemporary times. The modulation level was OK this time, but breaking up, plus a continuous loud whine of roughly half a kHz. This was not a heterodyne from some other signal, but transmitted by R. Cairo itself, the Abis site doing its best to drive away listeners from the unappreciated work of the program presenters back in Cairo, for whom my continuing condolences. Meanwhile, the 12-hour Arabic broadcast also from Abis on 9305 was even worse as always, extremely distorted modulating only at peaks (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 13580, Nov 20 at 1451, big varying tones and noise vs VOA Kurdish, 250 kW, 150 degrees from Wertachtal, GERMANY. This could easily be taken for jamming, but I think it must be R. Cairo ``warming up`` prior to 15-16 Albanian service, 250 kW, 315 degrees from Abis, also USward. VOA went off at 1459, leaving the tones, flutter and CODAR, and at 1459:40 the tones and other noise stopped abruptly, proving they had been deliberately transmitted, and unintelligible talk started, deficient low modulation, presumably Albanian. Thus it is inadvisable for VOA Kurdish to use 13580 at this time, lacking a coöperative crash-start from Cairo. 9365+, Nov 20 at 2323, very distorted spur from something, soon matched to even more distorted strong signal from R. Cairo Arabic on 9305. 9365 makes a scratchy sound upon WTJC 9370, undermodulated. Tsk2, but serves them right for putting out their own nasty spurs periodically. Could not hear one matching 60 kHz lower around 9345 15710, Nov 21 at 1358, talk with bad distortion, gone after 1400: the traditional fate for years of R. Cairo`s Indonesian service, 1230- 1400, 250 kW, 106 degrees from Abis. Nothing has changed for the better post-Mubarak as far as Egyptian broadcast engineering standards 15210, Nov 21 at 2206, open carrier, so what? 2207:30 classical music theme, very distorted announcement in unknown language? This crap one suspects first from Cairo, and sure enough, that`s what`s scheduled in HFCC B-11: 2030-2230, French, 250 kW, 241 degrees from Abis to W Africa. I search HFCC on same parameters and find two other frequencies matching: 9280 and 15690. Aoki has only 9280, and that was the only one last winter in WRTH 2011. Apparently they register three but use only one frequency; it`s rather pointless to build in such alternatives when they can`t even modulate worth a damn (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Cairo 1900-2030 UT in English? Do you by any chance know what frequency R Cairo is using for 1900-2030 English to Africa? No trace on HFCC registered 11510, 15290 or 15435 here or in S Africa. Also tried previous freqs 15375 15270 9310 kHz. I have checked over several days. Any ideas? 73s (Dave Kenny, BC-DX Nov 23 via DXLD) [later] Mystery solved: seems to be on 15290 tonight - very weak. (Dave Kenny-UK to wb, Nov 22, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, ibid.) Right, 15290 kHz, poor signal even in southern Europe. Brazilian or Argentine DXers should hear that more properly. According to HFCC entries 15290 kHz 1900-2030 UT to zones 46,47,52 Abu Zabaal 250 kW 250 degrees in English. And 11510 / 15435 kHz as alternate reserve (Wolfgang Büschel, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, ibid.) Radio Cairo International still broadcasting question --- Glenn: I was wondering if you know if Radio Cairo is still broadcasting in English to Europe on shortwave. The podcast for Radio Cairo in English has been removed by the World Radio Network since their transmission is no longer offered via satellite. http://www.wrn.org/listeners/# Thank you (Charles Harlich, Nov 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Charles, As far as I know, it is. Perhaps you can confirm: 2115-2245 UT on 6270 or alternate 5770 (Glenn to Charles, ibid.) 9305, Nov 23 at 0659, R. Cairo as always here in extremely distorted Arabic, but they`re right on the button in closing down: 0700 full strike of the Cairo version of Big Ben (what do they call him?), and immediately off the air at 0700.6*. This monstrosity goes on for 12 hours every day, half of our lives! Starting at 1900, 250 kW, 315 degrees from Abis for Europe and eastern North America. Tnx a lot! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The Cairo clock doesn't seem to have a name, although one might consider Muhammad Ali (a one-time pasha, not the boxer). The 19th Century clock tower is a part of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in the Ottoman Citadel, visible from much of Cairo (Don Jensen, NASWA yg via DXLD) Tnx, Don; Correxion: not full strike, which means all the bongs denoting what hour, but just the 16-note chimes denoting it`s the top of some hour (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ** EGYPT [and non]. Veronica Banderas --- Viendo por CNN lo que está sucediendo con la revuelta solcial en Egipto, advierto que una de las corresponsales de la estación estadounidense en El Cairo es la conocida Verónica Banderas, voz en español de Radio El Cairo (y mujer muy bonita, por cierto, dicho sea de paso) (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Nov 20, condiglist yg via DXLD) Es verdad, es una interesante y atractiva mujer de nacionalidad mexicana. Se la escucha muy seguido por CNN. Adjunto foto con comentario abajo.- En la fotografía: Verónica Balderas Iglesias es locutora del programa dirigido para Latinoamérica y España de la Unión de Radio y Televisión Egipcia (Onda Corta 31 m. Frecuencias 9250 y 9315 kHz. 0045 UT). Con 7 años de experiencia en los medios de comunicación, es también corresponsal internacional de televisión y periodista en prensa escrita. Vean en http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocZUCOKv5k8 como se desempeña con este complicado informe en pleno escenario de los hechos. RGM (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, ibid.) Parece una rubia falsa, cubierta por los títulos del video (gh, DXLD) ** ERITREA. On Nov 7 to 12 noted on shifted freqs 4770, 7100 (Nov 10), 7120, 7150, 7175, 7180, 7215, 9715, 9820, and stable 7205 kHz (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Nov 14, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 18 via DXLD) 9830.03, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea, 0320-0335, local Horn of Africa pop music. Vernacular talk. // 9730.03. Both 9 MHz frequencies with weak modulation. Good signal on // 7174.99. Nov 19 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** ETHIOPIA. 9705, Radio Ethiopia, 2040-2101*, local Horn of Africa style music. Amharic talk. Sign off with National Anthem at 2059. Poor in noisy conditions. Nov 18 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** EUROPE. Laser back on 4015 kHz this afternoon (21 Nov). Good strength signal, but not sure why they've switched back from 4026 which had an excellent signal last night when I tuned in around 1915 UT (Alan Pennington, 1604 UT Nov 21, AOR 7030+ / ALA1530, Caversham, UK, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) ** EUROPE. PIRATES: 20795, Borderhunter Radio at good strength 6 Nov from 0837 past 0900 during special transmission beamed to Japan. 21840, Borderhunter Radio with special test to NZ 20 Nov, fair to good from 0826 tune-in until closedown at 0908. 24000.3, Shoreline Radio at poor level 6 Nov with heavy rock music and English ident, monitored 0754 past 0837 (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE [non?]. 15220, Nov 19 at 0643 good signal with song in Russian(?), then Nat King Cole`s ``Quizás`` in Gringo Spanish, outroed in French with R-F-I ID. Seems like RFI Musique service, perhaps anomalous as strike-filler, but the trouble is, no RFI scheduled on 15220 whensoever in HFCC or Aoki; instead they have a French broadcast from CRI, 500 kW, 308 degrees via URU = Wulumuchi, East Turkistan at 06-08. Could I have misunderstood ``RCI`` as ``RFI``? Does the French service of CRI ID as ``RCI``? (Radio Chine Internationale). But surely they would not be playing western pop music of yesteryear. Further chex needed. Kashgar was certainly propagating; See EAST TURKISTAN 15620 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7220, Nov 21 at 0626-0630*, RFI in English, VG signal discussing a `Sarko` cartoon, citing his low poll numbers. Strange, I have not noticed this transmission before. Maybe here`s why: registered in HFCC B-11 as in Hausa instead of English! 0600-0630, 500 kW, 170 degrees from Issoudun to fragments of 5 different CIRAFS which I suppose should define rather closely the extent of Hausaland. Aoki agrees it`s supposed to be Hausa. I have kept checking for the unlisted French broadcast of music during same hour on 15220 November 19, but no sign of it. RFI/TDF are obviously making all kinds of mistakes, so altho far-fetched, I wonder if 15220 was a mis-punch for 7220 on that date, and also mis-programmed past 0630? (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. QSL: 3AC, Monaco Radio, 8728, date only QSL sheet (photo and letter) in 11 days for 2 IRCs and English airmail report. QSL is in French with a short thank you in English. V/s illegible. 73 (Al Muick, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. QSL: Europe No. 1, 183 kHz, f/d towers/feeders/tx site card in 575 days for English airmail report with US $5.00, and follow- up report in French with 2 IRCs via Registered mail. QSL received 69 days after follow-up. Initial and follow-up reports were sent to Paris address as listed in WRTH, however QSL was sent from German address of Postfach 1365, D-66713 Saarlouis, where, I suspect, I should have sent it all along. The station was heard on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan with a WinRadio G303e and 100m randomwire from 1854 until 1941 UT on April 14 2010 with sports programming, SINPO 24222. 73 (Al Muick, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. 6190, Nov 22 at 0702, fair signal with news in German about Bundestag, etc., no comparison to signal from Austria on 6155. HFCC has this cryptic entry: ``6190 0000 2400 18,27,28 BLN 20 45 0 750 1234567 301011 250312 D DEU D ARD FNA 3419``. Site BLN means: ``BLN Berlin (Deutschlandradio) D 52N30 013E20``. So it`s 20 kW to the northeast but really for most of Europe. WRTH 2011 shows 6190 with 17 kW from Berlin-Britz. There had been some question whether this is really on the air. Is 6190 reliably heard 24 hours in Europe? There are plenty of bigger transmitters around the world on 6190 during the day and night. DLR has nationwide coverage on scads of FM transmitters, many of them low power; also 400 kW MW 1422, a.k.a. Deutschlandfunk (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. 7265, Hamburger Local Radio fair on 5 Nov from 0628 past 0655 with German folk songs, talk, regular idents in German and English. Also noted in the clear 0715 on 13 Nov with German folk songs (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Re 11-46: ``a seminar organised by Deutsche Welle on how to work with the internet (Nov BDXC-UK Communication, retyped by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` Rather ironic after DW Radio have switched off their live internet webstream! (Harry Brooks, North East England UK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re 11-46: Deutsche Welle no longer on Antenne Saar? Hi Paul, it looks as if the DW English has stopped using everything!!! I just received this, after asking them why I couldn’t hear DW English any longer on my Samsung Omnia smartphone, but only TV: ``Dear Mr. Valianti, Thank you for your interest. Much to our regret I have to inform you that the DW audio live streams were terminated. However, DW will still be at your side to provide you with quality information. We are committed to strengthening our internet offer and the TV programming. We believe this is the best way for us to continue offering you strong, high-quality information`` (Stefano Valianti, Italy, Nov 23, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) ** GERMANY. TRAUER UEBER DAS ENDE DER RADIOZEIT BEI DER DEUTSCHEN WELLE BONN. Mitarbeiter der Deutschen Welle in Bonn sorgen sich um die Zukunft des Auslandssenders: "Seit dem 30. Oktober 2011 geht das Deutsche Programm neue Wege", liest man auf der Internet-Seite des deutschen Auslandssenders mit Funkhaeusern in Bonn und Berlin. Mehr: General-Anzeiger Online Bonner Zeitungsdruckerei und Verlagsanstalt H. Neusser GmbH Justus-von-Liebig-Strasse 15 D-53121 Bonn, Germany. Tel.: 0228 / 66 88-0 Fax: 0228 / 66 88 391 (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 23 via DXLD) ** GERMANY. INQUERITO AO MODO COMO ESCUTAM A DW Depois de portas fechadas na onda curta, a DW, agora decidio fazer um inquerito aos cibernautas. A resposta de todos os que gostam da onda curta não deveria ser outra senão a seguinte. Quando perguntam em "outros" todos nós deveriamos talvez responder que a DW sem a onda curta estará a caminho da morte, talvez assim possa haver uma pequena esperança de reactivação da onda curta pela DW, a onda curta continua a ser muito necessaria e importante para todo o mundo. Visitem o link e respondam a este inquerito da DW. https://asp2.inquery.net/s.app?A=PUbSsM15 A DW precisa de uma boa resposta do mundo da tecnica e das comunicações (Manuel Jesus, Nov 20, Sintra, Portugal, http://www.sitesmaisuteis.pt condiglist yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) It starts this way: ``1. Deutsche Welle modifies its broadcasting strategy: You can look forward to many new and additional offers online as well as on DW-TV. Our shortwave service, however, will be discontinued except for Africa and Afghanistan. Regarding those upcoming changes, please let us know which DW services do you see yourself using in the future? (mark all that apply) DW-TV via satellite DW-TV via one of our partner stations DW-TV via Internet (livestream, video Podcast, on-demand) DW audio content via Internet (livestream, Podcast, on-demand) Others: [fill in the blank] None`` Note that this wording leads you (unless in Afgh or Africa) not to consider SHORTWAVE an option. Suggest you write in SW anyway, if you indeed still can hear their SW broadcasts! (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. 15650, Nov 20 at 2315, Greek music on VG signal, then Greek announcement from VOG. No flutter from here, unlike BRAZIL on 15190, KUWAIT on 17550, qq.vv. The VOG sked from DX Mix News Nov 11 in DXLD 11-46 shows 15650 going off at 2250, after a 105 degree beam to ME from 1800. Yet it was much better than // 9420 axually aimed 323 degrees USward before and after 2300. 15650 supposedly switches to 15630 between 2250 and 2300 but stays on the 105 antenna opposite us (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM. 15320, UT Sunday Nov 20 at 2238, AWR Wavescan is underway from KSDA, better than we can usually hear it from WRMI where it is produced, furthermore with several repeats just deleted in curtailed 9955 schedule. Jeff White is reading script by Adrian Peterson about the first Radio Free Asia in 1951-1953, transmitted from Philippines, with callsigns ``dee zed`` this and that. Note, Jeff, that the Filipinos say ``zee`` like their former colonial masters, Americans. Then another story about the early AFRS; Luigi Cobisi`s report from Europe; and DX report from Bangladesh voiced by Salahuddin Dolar; finally some fill music from Alaska about the Bering land bridge, cut off the air at 2259* (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM [and non]. KTWR Guam special broadcast on air right now at 1330 UT on 15400 (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, Nov 18, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) As per large publicity campaign, KTWR was inaugurating one of its two new 250 kW transmitters Nov 18 at 1330-1400 on 15400, but God`s propagation was not cooperating. I was monitoring a few minutes earlier, and at *1330 on came a very weak and fluttery carrier, bothered even by a bit of splatter from 15380 RHC. I could barely hear someone talking, but it was pointless to try to copy this special transmission. Rechecked at 1349 and found additional QRM from Chinese on 15397! Must have been where jumpy V. of Tibet landed at the moment from Tajikistan. Per Aoki, a more usual spot is 15433. Yimber Gaviria forwards TWR`s coverage of this momentous event: http://bit.ly/sPFTn8 The latest TWR schedule at HFCC, http://www.hfcc.org/data/schedbybrc.php?seas=B11&broadc=TWR does not yet show any 250 kW frequencies for KTWR, so when and where are they now in use?? BTW, now`s my chance for an off-topic language remark: Surpassing the controversy over whether Agaña should have a Spanish colonial tilde on it, is the official (?) Chamorro language spelling of the capital, Hagåtña (note the added Swedish influence), like the island itself, Guåhan. In case this reaches you as garble, in both names there is a circle over the A in the middle, like the name for extremely short wavelengths, but what sound does it signify in Chamorro? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I note various entries with 125 kW which very much look like the newly installed transmitters, run at 50 percent power. Are the antennas capable to handle more at all? Perhaps it is already forgotten: These are not new transmitters but the two Thomson TRE 2326 units originally installed in 1993 on the Cox peninsula site near Darwin. Christian Vision had shut down the plant on 1 Feb 2010, and TWR grabbed these two transmitters when they have been offered for 690,000 USD each. Some photos, including the Thomson transmitters themselves, are here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.394625819985.55352.24117949985&type=3 Remember CVC Radio, carried until the shut-down by the Cox transmitters, also temporarily in DRM mode from Jülich until Christian Vision noted that this is no suitable way to reach the UK? First CVC Radio continued after the shortwave shut-down as web radio, prominently offering low bitrate streams for pick-up with mobile phones. Just looked back what became of it: Ooops, DNS error, so eliminated thoroughly. This became of it, and it can be seen at a glance what it still has to do with radio: Nothing whatsoever. http://www.cvcnow.com This should be also what Deutsche Welle just taught Radio Tirana, since it's their own way: Get rid of that old radio stuff. Not just of these shortwave transmitters, of that old kind of media altogether. Meanwhile I have little doubts that every closed shortwave transmitter is the next nail in the coffin of radio in its entirety. And yes, I'm sentimental about this (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Nov 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) From the KTWR B-11 schedule previously published in DXLD, here are the only frequencies showing 125 kW instead of 100: 9910 1100-1230 42-44 125 305 1234567 Chin Mandarin 11580 1345-1430 44-45 125 335 1...... Korean 11580 1345-1445 44-45 125 335 ......7 Korean 11580 1345-1500 44-45 125 335 .23456. Korean 12105 0930-1100 42-44 125 315 1234567 Chin Mandarin 15240 1230-1300 41 125 293 .23456. Kokborok 15240 1245-1300 41 125 293 1...... Kokborok 15240 1300-1315 41 125 293 1234567 Santhali 15240 1315-1330 41 125 293 1234567 Mus/Beng Note that these times do not overlap, so account for only one of the two used 250 kW transmitters run at half power. If they are not radiating the full 250 kW, and throwing ``digital`` around like it were a Gift from God without even using DRM except as occasional tests, this is much less of a big deal than we were led to believe (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Another story about this: http://www.bosnewslife.com/19172-christian-broadcaster-twr-with-new-transmitters-in-asia (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 4055, R. Verdad, 1101, anthem or similar, then into comments by man. Barely above threshold. 18 Nov (David Sharp, NSW, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUIANA FRENCH. 17690, Nov 19 at 1429 I tuned in RFI Spanish during a report on cacao, bracing myself for a rude interruption at 1430 close-down time: yes, the Parisians are starting to give the web URL, but cut off the air after ``rfi.`` Aren`t they paying any attention to the incoming programming at Montsinéry where they could easily leave it on a minute or two more? Aren`t they paying any attention to the clock in the studio, so they finish the programming before it is likely to be cut off at transmitter sites? Of course not! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONDURAS. 3250, R. Luz y Vida, San Luís, 1120-1133 Nov 18 Spanish; Lite music; M announcer with ID announcement at BoH; talk over music; W announcer at 1132 & signal rapidly f/out; poor (Scott R. Barbour Jr. Intervale, N.H. USA, NRD-545, MLB-1, 200' Beverages, 60m dipole, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 4970, A.I.R., Shillong, presumed 1511 English. Woman saying “end of our program” and listing some frequencies, 1512 music bridge, 1513 talk and music in Hindi. Poor. Nov 18 (Harold Sellers, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Harold - You were most fortunate to hear Shillong at 1511. Many of the AIR regional station give their local ID then, just before starting the audio feed from New Delhi at 1512. Many days Shillong does have English programming ending then, just as you heard today. Along with the local ID they say to standby for the news from New Delhi. The relay starts with 3 minutes of ads in Hindi, often with singing jingles; 1515 starts news in Hindi; 1530 in English with “The news at nine”. After 1512 is a great time to start checking for // stations (4880, 5010, 5040 and 5050 are among the strongest, but there are many others also //, with the best being 9425). This is an very easy way to confirm the identity of the regional AIR stations (Ron Howard, San Francisco, ibid.) ** INDIA. 4990, AIR Itanagar, 1420-1425*, Nov 19. Musical fanfare; “Good evening. This is All India Radio Itanagar. The news read by . . The nation today remembered the first woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 94th birth anniversary with President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari among other prominent personalities . . . at her memorial Shakti Sthal on the banks of Yamuna”, “The Union Minister was speaking at the 2nd Interstate Regional Conference of Tourism Ministers of Eastern and North Eastern States in Shillong on Friday”, etc; local Itanagar weather conditions and temperatures; off after musical fanfare; poor; light China QRM. MP3 audio posted at http://www.box.com/s/0amt7gy2f0g0zdcjaeq7 (Ron Howard, San Francisco at Ocean Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) On Sun, Nov 20, 2011 at 2:14 AM, Ron Howard wrote: ```Thanks very much to Swopan Chakroborty for his most interesting observation: “Tried during the same time today here in Kolkata on 4990 kHz. But no luck being so close, less than 1000 km aerial distance. Even there was no whispering sound also. Thanks, Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India”. Distance from Itanagar to San Francisco is about 11,934 km!``` I am not absolute but think this might be due to antenna orientation of AIR Itanagar, so Kolkata falls in skip zone! I reside in Siliguri, also don't receive it properly when it was on in regular basis, what is others` opinion? Thanks & Regards, (Partha Sarathi Goswami, Siliguri, Dist. Darjeeling, West Bengal, INDIA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA [and subcountries]. I am at my radio site on the coast of Oregon: November 20, 2011 4747.60, heard 1259-1521, but not strong enough for audio. [Leh] 4760.00, heard from 1259 to 1444 with only one station, but also no audio until after 1502 with singing by female voice, then // to AIR station (4840.0) after 1514. [Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Is.] 4775.00, nothing heard here for a few days in the 1302-1500- 4834.63, very weak carrier here from 1344 to 1519- [Gangtok, Sikkim] 4990.00, Itanagar strong over China at 1304-1426* (Jim Young, Grundig Satellite 800 + IC-706 + 60-M sloper + ham vertical resonant for 60-M, via Alokesh Gupta, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. 9445, Nov 20 at 2215, AIR ending commentary on Syrian crisis, into feature on arts/film festival in Panaji. Best here but // 11670 and hummy 7550. Enjoy the dynamic sound of ionospheric India while you can, as they vow to replace *all* 54 SW transmitters, domestic and external, with DRM by 2015, all analog off by 2017. See http://www.facebook.com/notes/national-association-of-shortwave-broadcasters/drm-progress-in-asia/308932825803170 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 15050, Nov 20 at 1425, no trace of DRM or AM, nor later in the hour, from AIR`s 13-15 Sinhala service; off the air today? Would expect MUF to support it as usual. VBS on 9870 was in well. 15045-15050-15055, Nov 21 at 1400, DRM is back amid AIR Sinhala service bihour, whilst no AM or DRM was audible 24 hours earlier (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. AIR B11 now posted on their website --- Finally after 19 days updated B11 schedule of All India Radio has been posted in their website, here's the link : http://www.allindiaradio.org/schedule/fqsch.html or is it: http://www.allindiaradio.org//schedule/fqsch.html (via Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, Nov 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGST) Linx to individual schedules are either invisible or partly visible depending on browser; clicking on them is unproductive. Does not help to replace the // with a single / in the middle of URL as ought to be correct. Fortunately, I have nicely printed AIR B-11 schedule folders which reached me thanks to forwarding by Ron Howard, even before they got around to doing their website. NOW, maybe they will also get around to sending the info to HFCC?? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** INDIA. All India Radio - External Services B-11 schedule UTC Language kHz (Transmitter site) Target Area 0000-0045 Tamil 1053(T) 7270(Ch) 9835(Ki) 11740(P) Sri Lanka 11985(Kh) 0000-0045 Tamil 9910(A) 11740(P) 13795(B) Ea SoEaAsia 0015-0430 Urdu 702(J) 6155(B) 7340(M) 9595(Ki) Pakistan 0045-0115 Sinhala 1053(T) 7270(Ch) 11740(P) 11985(Kh)Sri Lanka 0100-0200 Sindhi 5990(Kh) 7370(Ki) 9635(A) Pakistan 0100-0430 Urdu 11620(Kh) Pakistan 0115-0330 Tamil 1053(T) Sri Lanka 0130-0230 Nepali 594del 3945(G) Nepal 7420(Gu) 9810(Kh) 11715*(Kh) 0215-0300 Pushtu 9835(Kh) 9910(A) 11735(B) Pak, Afg 0215-0300 Kannada 11985(B) 15075(B) Middle East 0245-0315 English 594del 7420(Gu) Bangladesh 0300-0345 Dari 9835(Kh) 9910(A) 11735(B) Afghanistan 0315-0415 Hindi 15075(B) 15185*(Kh) 17715(Kh) EaAf,Mauritius 0315-0415 Hindi 11840(P) 13695(B) 15075(B) Middle East 0330-0430 Bengali 594del 7420(Gu) Bangladesh 0400-0430 Persian 15210(P) 15770(B) 17845(Kh) Iran 0415-0430 Gujarati 15075(B) 15185*(Kh) 17715(Kh) EaAf,Mauritius 0430-0530 Hindi 15075(B) 15185*(Kh) 17715(Kh) EaAf,Mauritius 0430-0530 Arabic 15210(P) 15770(B) 17845(Kh) Middle East 0530-0600 Urdu 15210(P) 15770(B) 17845(Kh)(Haj Season) SaudiArabia 0700-0800 Nepali 7250(G) 7420(Gu) 9595(Ki) 11850(Ki)Nepal 0800-0830 Punjabi 702(J) Pakistan 0800-1100 Bengali 594del 7420(Gu) Bangladesh 0830-1130 Urdu/Hi/En702(J) 7250(G) 7340(M) 9595(Ki) Pakistan 11620(Kh) 0845-0945 Indonesian15770(A) 17510(Kh) 17875(B) SoEaAsia 1000-1100 English 13710(P) 17510(Kh) 17895(B) AUS, NZL 1000-1100 English 15020(A) 15235(B) 17800(B) NoEaAsia 1000-1100 English 1053(T) 7270(Ch) 15260(Ki) Sri Lanka 1100-1145 Arunachali11710(Ki) 15185(Ki) Myanmar 1100-1200 Thai 13645(A) 15235(P) 17740(Kh) SoEaAsia 1100-1300 Tamil 1053(T) Sri Lanka 1115-1215 Tamil 13710(B) 15770(A) 17810(P) SoEaAsia, AUS, NZL 1115-1215 Tamil 7270(Ch) 15050(Kh) 17860(Ki) Sri Lanka 1130-1200 Punjabi 702(J) Pakistan 1145-1315 Chinese 11840(Kh) 15795(B) 17705(B) NoEaAsia 1215-1245 Telugu 13710(B) 15770(A) 17810(P) SoEaAsia, AUS, NZL 1215-1315 Burmese 11620(B) 11710(Ki) 15040(Kh) Myanmar 1215-1330 Tibetan 1134del 7420(Gu) 9575(Ki) 11775(P) Tibet 1230-1430 Saraiki 702(J) Pakistan 1230-1500 Sindhi 6165(Kh) 7340(M) 9620(A) Pakistan 1300-1500 Sinhala 1053(T) 7270(Ch) 9820(P) 15050*(Kh) Sri Lanka 1315-1415 Dari 7255(A) 7410(Kh) 9910(Ki) Afghanistan 1330-1430 Nepali 1134del 3945(G) 4860(Ki) Nepal 7420(Gu) 11775(P) 1330-1500 English 9690(B) 11620(Kh) 13710(B) EaSoEaAsia 1415-1530 Pushtu/En 7255(A) 7410(Kh) 9910(Kh) Afg, Pak 1430-1735 Urdu 3945(G) Pakistan 1430-1930 Urdu 702(J) 4860(Ki) 6045(Ki) Pakistan 1445-1515 Bengali 1134del 7420(Gu) Bangladesh 1500-1530 Tamil 1053(T) Sri Lanka 1500-1600 Baluchi 6165(Kh) 7340(M) 9620(A) Pakistan 1515-1600 Gujarati 11620(B) 13645(B) 15175(P) EaAf,Mauritius 1515-1615 Swahili 9950(Kh) 13605(B) 17670(Kh) EaAfrica 1530-1545 English 7255(A) 9820(P) 9910(Ki) 11740(Ki) SAARC countries 1600-1730 Bengali 1134del 7420(Gu) Bangladesh 1615-1715 Russian 9595(Kh) 11620(B) 15140*(Kh) EaEurope 1615-1730 Hindi 9950(Kh) 15075(Kh) 17670(Kh) EaAf,Mauritius 1615-1730 Hindi 7410(A) 12025(P) 13770(B) Middle East 1615-1730 Persian 7250(P) 9620(A) 11710(Kh) Iran 1730-1830 Malayalam 7250(P) 12025(P) Middle East 1730-1945 Arabic 9620(A) 11710(Ki) 13640(B) Middle East 1745-1945 English 7400(Kh) 9415(Kh) 11935(M) EaAf,Mauritius 1745-1945 English 7550(Kh/B?) 9950*(Kh) 11670(B) UK & WeEurope 1745-1945 English 7410(B) 9445(B) 11580(Kh) We.NoWeAfrica 1945-2030 French 9410(B) 9620(A) 13640(B) We.NoWeAfrica 1945-2045 Hindi 7550(Kh/B?) 9950*(Kh) 11670(B) UK & WeEurope 2045-2230 English 9910(A) 11620(B) 11715(P) Australia, NZL 2045-2230 English 7550(Kh/B?) 9445(B) 9950*(Kh) UK & WeEurope 11670(B) 2245-0045 English 6055(Kh) 7305(B) 9705(P) Australia, NZL 2245-0045 English 6055(Kh) 7305(B) 9705(P) Ea&SoEaAsia 2245-0045 English 9950(A) 11645*(Kh) 13605(B) NoEaAsia 2300-2400 Hindi 9910(A) 11740(P) 13795(B) Ea SoEaAsia * DRM Some frequencies are used by Home Services at other times. Transmitter Sites used for External Services: No. Code Location kW kHz 1 A Aligarh 4x250 SW 2 B Bengaluru (Bangalore) 6x500 SW 3 C Chinsurah (Calcutta) 1x1000 594 1134 {out of service at present, superpower tx to be replaced next year?} 4 Ch Chennai (Madras) 1x100 7270 5 G Gorakhpur 1x50 3945 7250 6 Gu Guwahati 1x50 7420 7 J Jalandhar 1x300 702 8 Kh Khampur (Delhi) 7x250 SW 9 Ki Kingsway (Delhi) 3x50,2x100 SW 10 M Mumbai (Bombay) 1x100 7340 11935 11 P Panaji 2x250 SW 12 T Tuticorin 1x200 1053 (DX India B-09design, updated by wb. for B-11 season, Nov 22; updated Nov 24 via DXLD) AIR G.O.S. Launched New Blog --- For all who are interested in General Overseas Service of All India Radio and its programs on different aspects of India and Indian society, here is a newly introduced Blog maintained by G.O.S. directly. http://gosair.blogspot.com/ Thanks & Regards, (Prithwiraj Purkayastha, Jorhat, Assam, Nov 23, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA [non]. UZBEKISTAN B-11 CVC International/The Voice via TAC=Tashkent: Hindi to India 0000-0400 on 6260 TAC 100 kW / 153 deg 0400-1100 on 13630 TAC 100 kW / 153 deg 1100-1400 on 9500 TAC 100 kW / 153 deg 1400-2000 on 6260 TAC 100 kW / 153 deg Hindi to South Asia 0100-0400 on 9975 TAC 100 kW / 186 deg (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, 22 Nov via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 3325, RRI Palangkaraya, 1351-1410 Nov 10. M&W announcers chatting, with one song played; six pips to 1400:56, then two reps of organ IS, then six more pips to 1401:32. More talk followed but signal fading by now (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 4-foot box loop, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 4789.97, RRI Fak Fak. Heard again Nov 18 after having been off for a while; Jakarta news relay already in progress at 1207; sound bite of the address given today by Secretary of State Clinton at the ASEAN summit being held in Bali; most news items dealing with the summit; 1237 usual song that follows the news; news and song // RRI Palangkaraya (3325) and RRI Jakarta (9680); 1238 no longer // (Ron Howard, San Francisco at Ocean Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 9525, VOI, Cimanggis transmitter repair has been finished on Thur Nov 17. Latter was off air lately. Da gibt es ein fettes Signal auf 9525 kHz um 1930 UT, ein Bericht aus Palembang "transportation for tourists" in English. Ein wunderschoene klare Frauenstimme. Und gleich daneben dick und fett Radio Australia 9500 kHz 19-20 UT aus Shepparton (Wolfgang Büschel, Nov 17, wwdxc BC- DX TopNews Nov 23 via DXLD) VoI-Homepage - Live-Stream. Hallo, die Stimme Indonesiens via Homepage. and/or (Paul Reinersch, Germany, A-DX Nov 17 via BC-DX Nov 23 via DXLD) 9525, Nov 21 at 1345, no carrier detectable from VOI between ACI on 9530 (very strong) and 9520. Those off at 1437, so try again: now a JBA carrier on 9525, but too weak to tell if it is a smidgin below 9525 as typical for VOI. [and non]. 9525-, Nov 22 at 1328, VOI carrier detected, badly squeezed between 9520 and much stronger 9530 signals, but no modulation. 9520 is RVA to Sri Lanka at +1330-1427, but 9530 is open after the Chinese radio war suspends at 1400. So at 1419 on 9525- I could make out some undermodulated Indonesian talk. 9680, RRI domestic program relay from same Jakarta-Cimanggis site is always much stronger and normally modulated, but suffers severe co- channel QRM. Nov 22 at 1333 its music is atop another Chinese radio war, i.e. R. Taiwan International in Chinese with ChiCom CNR1(?) jamming. Incredibly, KNLS Alaska is also registered in Chinese at 13- 14 on 9680. Maybe it`s buried somewhere underneath. They`ve been so masochistic for years in frequency selexion; will they never learn? I resume monitoring 9680 at 1414 and notice it`s open carrier but atop the CCCCI (Chinese co-channel interference; during rest of hour that gradually diminishes). Finally at 1418 RRI starts playing a song; more dead-air breaks with some hum continue the rest of the hour, approx. as follows: 1424 DA, 1427.5 song, 1431 DA/hum, 1435 song, 1444 segué more music, 1447 DA, 1451 music, 1455 DA, 1456 music past 1500, 1500:20 cut to other music, 1501 cut off the air. Never any announcements. Is this any way to run a national, yea international radio service? Is this misprogrammed automation, or a neophyte studio operator who needs several minutes to find another tune, figure out what to do next? Maybe the DA breaks were supposed to contain some talk? (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9680.06, RRI, 1257-1405* Nov 19. Wayang kulit in progress, replete with dramatic dialogue and exotic music on gamelan instruments. Went past 1400 per spot checks, but was gone at last check at 1406. Good signal (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 4-foot box loop, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. Hello from Hilversum, It was a great pleasure to meet some old friends, and make new ones, at the Amsterdam Radio Day last Saturday. It's also a pleasure to report that two of the winners of awards for an Outstanding Contribution to Offshore Radio went to former RNW colleagues Hans Hogendoorn and Graham Gill, who earlier in their careers worked on the radio ships in the North Sea. There will be lots of photos and a report of the event on the official Radio Day website from Friday evening Dutch time. http://www.radioday.nl/ (Andy Sennitt, Nov 17, Media Network Newsletter via DXLD) ** IRAN. 7320, VOIRI Teheran with English Service from 1930, good reception on this frequency as well as parallel 15450 and 13670 on 6 Nov. 6010 barely audible. 7365, Voice of Justice in English to North America at fair strength 0403 16 Nov with news commentary, over Radio Marti. By 0420 co-channel Martí and Cuban bubble jammer was mixed with Iran. Parallel 7200 was initially fair to good but here too co-channel QRM from an Arabic language program gradually improved and was mixed with Iran by 0420. But when Iran left 7200 at 0429 the Arabic prgm disappeared as well leaving the frequency clear! [presumably SUDAN] 21600, Teheran opening in Russian at 0500 very good signal here 5 Nov and on parallel 13680. 21640, VOIRI via Sirjan, 500 kW to Africa in Swahili, very good with talk about Islam at 0906 on 1 Nov, // to 21510.05 via Kamalabad 500 kW also VG. Sked 0830-0930. 21695.04, VOIRI Teheran very good in English from 1030 sign-on 7 Nov, parallel 21575.05 also very good strength (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America), dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN [and non]. [From IRIB`s B-11 schedule, RUSSIAN includes]: 1430-1527 7285 9685 11860 (7420 SIT deleted)-? was still on air Nov 15, but outlet stopped temporary? not on air Nov 17. 7420 has a very effective back lobe net attenuator on 79degr) 7420, IRIB in Russian noted today Nov 15, on two SDR remote units on various European monitoring posts. 7420 is poor at S=7-8 twisting on Perseus RX set, and \\ 7285 kHz I hear on background with using another remote SDR-IQ rx unit, via VAC - virtual audio cable, mix audio together to the same soundcard (Wolfgang Büschel, Nov 15/17, BC-DX Nov 18 via DXLD) ** IRAN [and non]. Iran threatens Radio Farda listeners via SMS | Text of report by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) website on 18 November "Dear citizen, based on information we received you have fallen under the influence of the anti-security propaganda of media connected with foreign powers. If you establish contact with media based outside the country, you will be guilty of violating the following articles of Islamic law (...) and we will deal with you according to the law." Listening to [US-backed] Radio Farda in Iran is no idle pastime. The audience for Farda, RFE/RL's Persian-language service, has to contend with a host of threats from the regime in Tehran, which looks to punish its own citizens for listening to free media. The government's extreme censorship is nothing new in the annals of authoritarianism. But Tehran is upping the ante by making its warnings high-tech and personal. The government's latest way of cheerfully informing Farda's most active listeners of the risk they're running is through SMS (text) messages directly to their mobile phones. The messages carry the menacing threats shown above. Remarkably, despite the intimidation, Farda's listeners continue to send hundreds of SMS messages daily from all over Iran, risking imprisonment in Iran's notorious jails, where thousands of political prisoners serve terms and fear secret executions. These SMS messages are tracked by the Iranian government on a daily basis, according to Mardo Soghom, a senior media market research analyst for RFE/RL. "We have noted that when the SMS numbers drop to 30-40 a day, which was the case nine months ago, it was due to these text message warnings sent by the Iranian government," says Soghom. Constant jamming by the Iranian authorities has not succeeded in discouraging Radio Farda's journalists, who are officially banned from the airwaves in Iran but continue to broadcast news, features and music in Persian, 24 hours a day. "Radio is only Radio Farda" The work of Radio Farda broadcasters is encouraged and validated by the messages sent in from listeners, who often pass along the slogan, "Radio is only Radio Farda." Reza, a listener from Kermanshah, recently sent a text message to Radio Farda's SMS service that read, "All of us are listening to Radio Farda, with the hope for a better Iran tomorrow." The message played on Radio Farda's name, which means "Radio Tomorrow" in Persian. Others write to talk of the unmet promises of Iran's revolutionary regime. "When the revolution happened, they were blaming the Shah for selling the oil cheaply," one listener says. "Now, they are not only selling oil and gas, they are even exporting the 'soil' of this country and they call it non-oil sector exports." For Radio Farda's journalists, the most rewarding messages are usually the simplest. Writes a listener from Ghazvin, "Long live the one who established Radio Farda." To find out more about what is happening inside Iran, read the news in Farsi (or English) on Radio Farda's website and visit Persian Letters, a blog maintained by RFE/RL senior correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Her work is dedicated to uncovering under-reported stories and delivering insight and analysis from bloggers, feminists, clerics and even Basij members inside Iran. Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website, Washington, D.C., in English 18 Nov 11 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ. MEDIUM WAVE POWERHOUSES, 1990-91 Hello Glenn, I was wondering if you could answer a question for me. Back in the day of 1990-1991 during the Persian Gulf grisis and war, could you tell me the couple cities in Iraq who had the mediumwave powerhouse transmitters, kW, and frequencies that were heard all over Europe, most of Africa, Middle East, and Asia? This would be for Radio Baghdad, Mother of Battles, main Arabic program, or whatever they were broadcasting at the time. Thanks (Steve Price, Nov 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Steve, Fortunately, I quickly found my WRTH for 1991: Here is the entire list of MW frequencies: Rutba 558 300 GS Nineva 603 300 GS Kirkuk 630 20 + Tanaf 684 1000 FS Basrah 692 600 VM Baghdad* 756 300 GS Nasiriya 846 300 FS Baghdad* 909 300 VM Babylon 1035 1000 VM/FS Rutba 1116 300 VM Nineva 1197 300 VM/FS Nasiriya 1224 300 FS Kirkuk 1360 120 K Tanaf 1377 1000 VM Missan 1431 1000 GS Arbat 1539 1000 FS GS = General Service VM = Voice of the Masses K = Kurdish + = Turkmen/Assyrian FS = Foreign Service Now I`m curious why you need this info. This issue does not mention `Mother of Battles`, but it does list a ``special program for US forces``, English 17-19 and 21-23 on 1134, also some SW (Glenn to Steve, ibid.) Thanks. All my WRTVH's are gone. I was just curious as to what and where their big powerhouses were during that time for mediumwave. I remember their big powerhouse shortwave was in Salah-el-Deen. I always had an interest in Radio Baghdad. I used to listen to it nearly every day in English and Arabic on shortwave in the 1980's as a teenager. It is nothing more than a memory lane sort of thing. Thanks (Steve Price, ibid.) ** IRELAND. 12255, Reflections Europe, 1548, tentative with English male sermon. Weak with fades, no ID. Weak carrier also on 6295 at this time, but don't know if it's R-E. Tried again at 1725, hoping for better copy -- still there, but only threshold. 20 Nov (David Sharp, NSW, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL [non]. ISRAEL SHUTS DOWN DOVISH RADIO STATION Nov 20, 6:51 AM (ET) By AMY TEIBEL JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel has ordered the shutdown of a dovish Israeli- Palestinian radio station, officials and the station's operators said on Sunday. The station and other critics said the move was politically motivated, and part of a broader assault on democracy by conservative forces in the government. Some members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition have pushed forward a series of measures recently that critics say are aimed at stifling opponents. Among the proposed legislation are attempts to block most foreign funding for dovish nonprofit groups, lowering the threshold for politicians to file libel suits against the media, and a push to shift control of Supreme Court appointments from an independent panel to parliament. Conservative lawmaker Danny Danon boasted that he had helped close the "All for Peace" radio station. Danon, a member of Netanyahu's Likud Party, claimed the Communications Ministry shuttered the station at his request, after he claimed it "incited" against Israel. "A radical leftist station that becomes an instrument of incitement must not be allowed to broadcast to the broader public," Danon said. Operators of "All For Peace" radio said they complied with a shut-down order issued last week. Israel's communications ministry confirmed it issued the order, and said the station was broadcasting into Israel illegally. The ministry, headed by a Likud Cabinet minister, said in a statement that the station's Hebrew-language broadcasts inside Israel were "economically damaging local radio franchisees." It did not mention the issue of incitement. Mossi Raz, the Israeli director of the station, said that it transmits from the West Bank where it is not subject to Israeli law. He told Israel Radio that the station, which has been operating since 2004, would go to court in Israel to try to get back on the air. Raz also said the ministry had never questioned the legality of the station's operations in the past, and that the Israeli Government Press Office has issued press cards to the station's journalists. The string of moves against Israel's dovish left wing has drawn heavy criticism of the government, and there have been signs that the government may be backing down. On Sunday, an official in Netanyahu's office said the prime minister oppose a bill that would allow lawmakers to veto Supreme Court appointments. Conservatives say the court has a liberal bias. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to publicly discuss Netanyahu's position. Israeli journalists also oppose the tightening of a libel law that critics say would put a major chill on investigative reports. The closure of the radio station "joins a wave of legislation and other measures against a free press in Israel that very much worries anyone who cares about Israeli democracy," said Danny Zaken, the head of the Israeli journalists' association (via A. Burnette, DXLD) See also PALESTINE ** ITALY. [Re 11-46]: Mercoledì 16 novembre 2011, 0659 - 5000 kHz, IBF - Torino - Corso Galileo Ferraris o... Andrate??? (Italia), IDs tipo anni '80 e segnali di tempo appena udibili. Segnale sufficiente- insufficiente. In sottofondo WWV Boulder (Luca Botto Fiora, G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Errata corrige ascolto IBF 5000 kHz --- La mia solita confusione! Solo ora mi sono rammentato che Galileo Ferraris non era la via ma il nome dell'Istituto da dove proveniva il segnale della stazione di tempo e frequenza campione IBF. Sono passati anche molti anni e quindi con molti dubbi ipotizzo che forse di Torino il QTH era Corso Massimo D'Azeglio. La mia intenzione, comunque, era quella consueta mia di stimolare, in base alle informazioni circolate, chi ne sa di più - se può - a dire se questa 'nuova' IBF si trova eventualmente nella medesima postazione di Radio Maria 26000 kHz, cioè ad Andrate, che è sempre in provincia di Torino. Grazie (Luca Botto Fiora, Nov 20, playdx yg via DXLD) Just my confusion! Only now I am reminded that Galileo Ferraris was not the street but the name of the Institute where it came from the signal of time and standard frequency station IBF. It's been many years and therefore I hypothesize with many doubts that perhaps in Turin the QTH was Corso Massimo D'Azeglio. My intention, however, was stimulating, according to information circulated, who knows more - if you can - to say whether this 'new' IBF is possibly the same station Radio Maria 26000 kHz, that is in Andrate, which is always in province of Turin. Thank you (Luca Botto Fiora, Google translation insufficiently improved by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ciao Luca, l'attuale trasmissione di IBF viene effettuata dallo stesso QTH da dove trasmetteva il segnale originale del Galileo Ferraris, dalla collina di Torino da una zona chiamata Torre Bert, qui le foto. http://www.mediasuk.org/archive/ibf.html http://air-radiorama.blogspot.com/2011/11/ibf-da-torre-bert-la-qsl.html http://air-radiorama.blogspot.com/2011/11/torre-bert-ibf-nuove-fotografie.html L'impianto usa 100 watt e un traliccio verticale. 73 And HK (Andrea Borgnino, Italy, blcnews.it yg via DXLD) Gli organizzatori dicevano 20 [watt], potenziato? Rob (Scaglione, ibid.) Grazie ad Andrea Borgnino per la risposta su IBF. Sì, è vero, l'antenna non è vicina all'Istituto, l'associazione l'ho fatta io vedendo le foto abbinate sul blog di Radiorama. Molto bello anche il video di YouTube (Luca Botto Fiora, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) 5000, 15/11 20.20 IBF - Torino IT/EE/FF ID e pip pip buono (Roberto Pavanello, Vercelli / Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Pip pip? Original reports said there were no timesignals, just IDs (gh, DXLD) Dario Monferini : QSL IBF 5000 Ciao! IBF da Torre Bert time signal station 5000 kHz, QSL elettronica in 8 days. Listened in Bocca di Magra BOC-26 with SDR-14. V/s : Giampiero Bernardini (QSL Manager). Report Sent to: QSL @ radiomaria.org Station is now operating on temporary authorisation, waiting for approval to operate on regular basis. Dario Monferini ``Istituto Elettrotecnico Nazionale Galileo Ferraris --- IBF Stazione per segnali di tempo e Frequenza campione - trasmissione commemorativa Standard time and frequency station - commemorative transmission Si conferma, ringraziando, il rapporto di ricezione This is to confirm, with thanks, your reception report To Dario Monferini (Bocca di Magra DX nights) 5000 kHz - QTH Torre Bert, Torino - Power 20 w On 15 November 2011 At 16.39 UTC 73 Claudio Re (Technical Manager) Giampiero Bernardini (QSL Manager)`` (via Dario Monferini, Nov 23, playdx yg via DXLD) ** ITALY. Dear Friends! Right now I can hear a pirate (from Italy?) on 14195. Signal report 59 in Austria. Anybody can confirm? 73s (Thomas, 1443 UT Nov 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Thomas, Please read about Nino at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/it9ryhninothebigpipo/ (Ron Howard, San Francisco, ibid.) A regular K1MAN, VE7KFM ** JAPAN. JJY 60 kHz Special QSL card --- National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) announced on October 26 that they will issue the special QSL card commemorating the 10th anniversary of JJY Mt. Hagane transmitter site (60 kHz) in Kyushu. The special QSL card will be issued for the reception reports on JJY 60 kHz during October 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012. The reception reports should be addressed to; JJY Standard Time Signal Station, NICT, Koganei City, Tokyo 184-8795, Japan. Return postage is required. (Takahito Akabayashi, Japan, Nov 21, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non] MSF Scheduled Maintenance Periods / Pause of MSF Scotland 60 kHz. 8 December 2011 from 10:00 UTC to 14:00 UTC 8 March 2012 from 10:00 UTC to 14:00 UTC 73 Wolf-Dieter Behnke-D (A-DX Nov 21) (via Wolfgang Büschel, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) {MSF = Cumbria, England, NOT Scotland (Dave Kenny)} ** JAPAN [non]. 17605, UT Sat Nov 19 at 2340, western classical music is still running in this Sunday-morning-ghetto hour relay of NHK in Japanese, now scheduled 22-24, 250 kW, 170 degrees from BONAIRE (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JORDAN. 11960, Nov 18 at 0547, few signals on 25m and this one is easily the strongest, surprisingly surpassing Brazil (q.v.) on early 11780. Great lively ME music. 0600 widely-spaced (2 seconds apart?) time signal ending 5.5 seconds late! Arabic ID starts ``Sawt ul- Urdan`` I think, before cut off the air abruptly. I`m confident it was R. Jordan, despite strange scheduling. HFCC B-11 as of 18 Nov shows 0500-0715, 500 kW, 350 degrees to Central & Eastern Europe. But for years they have axually been on the air for only one hour in a legacy SW broadcast. Aoki B-11 shows 0400-0500 but that was the A-11 timing; with DST now off, it`s one real hour later at 05-06 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KALININGRAD. Kaliningradskaya oblast. Kaliningrad OTTPTc, as we have recently found out, in the B-13 [sic] has the a few programmes in the AM mode on short waves: for example, 9720 kHz to German at 9.00- 10.00. However, something they have gone wrong with the translation. This past Sunday, 13 November, in the AM signal was taken with the notable rattle, and as he looked in the the singlelane modulation -- you can listen to here: http://dxsignal.ru/audio/wrk/kld_carrier.wav In the 1st part of the video: LSB mode, count on ??????????? 9720,11 kHz. In the 2nd part of the video: the USB mode, count on ??????????? 9719.80 kHz (then pulled a little closer to the nominal frequency). Interestingly, these pulses -- defect of the transmitter or external interference? (Dmitry Mezin, Kazan, Russia / "open_dx" via RusDX via DXLD) ??? indicate Russian in the original, garbled when copied (gh) Listening to 17 November at 9720 kHz. Good signal. Small fading and noise. The signal level on the solid 4 (Pavel, Belgorod, Russia / "open_dx", ibid.) A little shook record is a parasite frequency modulation of the carrier. That is, defective timebase, or, as it is called, the causative agent of the transmitter. Theoretically, in the AM mode and in the absence of a fading these pulsations can be and not heard (Jaroslav Derevyagin, Odessa, Ukraine / "open_dx" Vvia RusDX via DXLD) I see (gh, DXLD) ** KASHMIR. Re: Leh on 4748? 20/11 - 4747.6 has now been positively identified as AIR Leh (Radio Kashmir, Leh), heard Hindi songs & public service announcements; weak beneath the noise floor. Right now at 0230 Hindi news by YL. Regards, (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, dxindia yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) I am getting AIR Leh carrier from around 0200 UT and sign off regularly at 1630. No audio is detectable at my end. I know they are there if I get a heterodyne on Bangladesh Betar on 4750 in the evenings/night (That is how I found them out) 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082, India, Nov 20, dxindia yg via DXLD) Posted to dx_india yg, Nov 19: Nov 19 heard an open carrier on 4747.63 at 1339, but unable to make out any audio. AIR Leh (Radio Kashmir, Leh) would indeed be a rare one for me to hear (Ron Howard, San Francisco at Ocean Beach, California, USA, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also INDIA ** KASHMIR. 6110, AIR Srinagar, 0230-0255, Nov 21, Hindi news after pips at BOH, twice interrupted for adverts. Then continued in English at 0245: "All India Radio presents.... Morning News", opening with headlines. Completely in the clear at first but spoilt by co-channel R Fana [ETHIOPIA] carrier which appeared 0249 (Martien Groot, Schoorl, Netherlands (TenTec RX340, 20 m. longwire), dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. 3250.05, Voice of Korea with opera songs 0948 16 Oct, Japanese external service, poor to fair, but parallel 9650 was strong. Was hoping to hear the reportedly reactivated Honduran (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. 3959.03, KCBS, 1743, noted in passing with patriotic music. Fair at best. 20 Nov (David Sharp, NSW, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. Is North Korea decreased their HS relays on SW? Maybe it is not most interesting news, but Pyongyang BS is not heard on 6250 and 6400v, also KCBS Pyongyang on 9665 and 11680. I cannot still check them on 2350, 2850, 3220, etc. due to strong level of local noise. 73! (Mikhail Timofeyev, DSWCI member no. 2987 http://www.dxcorner.narod.ru Nov 29, HCDX via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 5910, Friday Nov 18 at 1407, Sea Breeze YL in English with pauses and sounders every few sex during presumed news headlines; poor (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6135 11/25 ** KOREA NORTH [and non]. Re 11-46: Dear Glenn, MND Radio is Clandestine station of S. Korea via New Cuncheon transmittere site [CHC]. N. Korea is opposed by the jamming that is superstrength for this broadcast. Current sked of MND Radio 0500-0540 6230 0700-0740 6135 1000-1040 6135 1200-1240 6230 (S. Hasegawa, Japan, Nov 18, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re 11-46 on same 6135 station originally unIDed: According to ITU Reference Table Freq. Management Org.: MND: MND Radio (KOR), Contact Person: Mr. GyuCheol Kim, Tel: +8227482633, Fax:+8227482609, E-mail: gckim55 @ naver.com [That e-mail] Doesn't seem to be in use any more [bounce message] 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, Nov 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH [non]. FRANCE/KOREA Winter B-11 of KBS World Radio in French via TDF: 2000-2058 on 5980*ISS 250 kW / 185 deg to NWAf + test frequencies: 5950&, 5920#, 5915^ * co-ch Voice of Turkey in Turkish & co-ch RRI in Ukrainian til 2027 # co-ch Polish Radio in Polish ^ best frequency (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, 22 Nov via DXLD) ** KUWAIT. 15540, Radio Kuwait English service very good level 1935 1 Nov till closing with ident and anthem at 2058. Time pips 2100 and began Arabic service with martial theme music for a few seconds till transmitter left the air (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15540, Nov 19 at 1813, R. Kuwait is still here and in English, propagating well today, 1814 ending yet another episode in the never- ending Sunni series, `The Pious and Rightly Guided Caliphs`, to be continued tomorrow at 1800+ (and so it was, again VG signal Nov 20 at 1812, but high noon is an inconvenient time here); 1815 Nov 19 jarringly into rock music. Probably faded down and out well before 2100*; not checked further on Nov 19. Or maybe not, as surprised to find 17550, Nov 19 at 2341 in Arabic music, fair with heavy flutter, as scheduled for A-11, but NOT B-11 per HFCC. There is no direct B-11 replacement for this 20-24 service to C&W NAm, closest being 9880 at 21-24, 500 kW, 310 degrees to Europe. Is that on the air, or transmitter on 17550 instead? We suspect Kuwait has just kept running its A-11 schedule, ignoring B-11, as also still on 21540 in Arabic until 1500, instead of 21520. Even more amazing in the HFCC B-11 registrations for Kuwait is 11950, 2200-0230, 150 kW DRM, 350 degrees to C&W NAm in ENGLISH. This transmission previously listed on 11675, was imaginary, and probably here too. Is anyone hearing DRM noise, let alone DRM decoding from 11950? Once again R. Kuwait defies conventional propagation: not heard from nominal *2000 on 17550 but rechecked at 2318 (after 2 am in Kabd), there it is in Arabic; at 2345 it reads S9+15 with heavy flutter, unlike a few other 16m signals from S America, E Asia, Pacific. 2400 ID and talk mixed with music, stingers, so not a regular newscast, cut off the air in mid-word at 0004* Nov 21. Unlike HFCC, Aoki claims this is in the MOI B-11 schedule: 17550 R. KUWAIT 2000-2400 1234567 Arabic 500 350 Sulaibiyah KWT 04745E 2910N MOI b11 --- i.e. aimed almost over the pole toward C&W N America (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 17550, Nov 21 at 2140, R. Kuwait Arabic is in again, good signal with heavy flutter, and the only other signal on 16m now is the perpetual blaster CVC Chile on 17680. (But at 2223, 17550 still in and 17605 NHK Bonaire, 17575 WYFR have also appeared with strong signals; nothing else) (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBERIA. [ELWA not on SW:] 4760 kHz last reported to DSWCI DBS in June 2008 (Wolfgang Büschel, BC-DX Nov 18 via DXLD) ** LIBYA. Radio Libye, 11600, Sabrata? Nov 15, 2011, Tuesday. 1645- 1803. French, YL talking interspersed with a limited range of music as described by several correspondents in DXLD 11-45. Several mentions of "Libya", "Libye" and "Tripoli" but reception was too poor to catch a formal ID until 1753 when I heard her say "Ici Radio Télévision Libye" --- "Tripoli". Sounds like she was doing a sterling job all by herself, until about 1757 when an OM replaced her until the 1803* sign off. Unfortunately his voice was less readable, lacking the female treble. Nevertheless, it sounds promising, even with limited resources and presumably limited technical assistance it is more entertaining than the old Voice of Africa FTGJ. I hope they soon start an English service. Carrier cut at 1805. Poor, despite a nice clear channel with no QRM at all. However, not helped by passage through the tropics and atmospheric QRN, especially lightning at my location. Jo'burg sunset 1635 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11600, 1815-1821* 17.11, R Télévision Libye, Sabrata, French talk about the revolution with French music in between, prolonged schedule until two ID's at 1820 and 1821: "Ici Radio Libye de la capitale de Tripoli" 55444. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, in Skovlunde, Denmark, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) [and non]. 11600, the revived single broadcast by the newbies in Tripoli at *16v-18v* in French I have not yet logged, since they scheduled it at an inconvenient time for me when I have usually turned off the radio and turned on the computer to compile my previous logs. But Nov 19 I start trying to hear it at 1600: nothing but DRM noise from BULGARIA until I give up at 1610. No trace of an AM carrier with BFO on. The DRM noise was only slightly louder than the band noise, but with BFO I could make out its characteristic swishing as I tuned across the 10-kHz bandwidth. So was Libya on the air today, or another sporadic day off? Should be clear of DRM after 1700. Yes: at 1720 I can detect an AM carrier but much too weak against the non-DRM noise level (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11600, 1725-1801* 18+19+20+21.11, R Télévision Libye, Sabrata, French talks about "la libération" and the unity of Libya with Vienna waltzes played in between, frequent ID's, still overmodulated, 45444. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Denmark, in Skovlunde on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** LITHUANIA. RADIO BALTIC WAVES INTERNATIONAL B-11 SCHEDULE. UT. 612 kHz - Vilnius (50 kW) 0300-0500 Radio Liberty in Belarusian 1200-1500 Voice of Russia in Russian (till December 31) 1500-2100 Radio Liberty in Belarusian 1386 kHz - Sitkunai (500 kW) 0330-0400 NHK Radio Japan in Russian 1430-1500 Polish Radio External Service in Belarusian 1900-2000 Polish Radio External Service in Belarusian 2000-2100 Polish Radio External Service in Polish RBWI verifies reception reports by eQSL. E-mail: radio @ balticwaves.cjb.net Thanks for monitoring to Sergey Panasiuk (UKR), Andrey Ehrlich (UKR) and Dmitry Kutuzov (RUS). Sigitas Zilionis has updated both MW and SW frequency schedules at http://www.zilionis.lt/rtv/radio-am.php?e but MW schedule seems to be a bit incorrect (Aleksandr Diadischev, Ukraine, Nov 17, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADAGASCAR. 5010.18 AM, Radio Madagasikara, 0211-0245, tune-in to local vocal music. IS at 0229:00. Choral National Anthem at 0229:22. Malagasy talk at 0231. Local music. Poor in noisy conditions. Noted in pure AM mode for a change. Nov 19 (Brian Alexander, PA, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX Listening Digest) 6135.25, R. Madagascar, 1337, poor with language man so presumed; het lowside possibly Yemen. 19 Nov (David Sharp, NSW, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6135.18, R Madagasikara, 1455, Nov 20, carrier only, to 1459 off. In the clear as no trace of co-channel R Sana'a. Appears to have moved down slightly from former 6135.29. Pse note that David Sharp reports this on 6135.25 on Nov 19 (Martien Groot, Schoorl, Netherlands (TenTec RX340, 20 m. longwire), dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADAGASCAR. RNW Madagascar tests? Anyone hearing the Radio Netherlands test transmissions from the Telefunken unit(s) on Madagascar? Nothing heard on 21480 here in Texas at a 1440 check November 21. RNW English on 12080 via The Philippines heard weakly at the same hour (Steve Luce, Houston, Texas, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, observed here in northern New Zealand at 0812 UT on 21 November with frequency 21480.03 fair strength. Also today 23 November with abrupt sign-on at 0700 - good signal with a little QRM from RFA and jamming on 21490 (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai - Northland - New Zealand, AOR 7030+ and EWEs to North, Central & South America, ibid.) Nothing here either checked after 1400 today --- just the VCR spur frequency 21477.5 (several machines radiate a weak signal here when turned off but plugged in). Thus 21475 and 21480 should be avoided by SWBC stations (Glenn Hauser, OK, Nov 21, ibid.) Thanks, Nothing heard here in western Europe from MDG at 1540-1555 UT today Nov 21. Only two broadcaster on 13 mb 21840 YFR English via ASC 15-16 UT, S=8-9 - and 21610 REE Noblejas 09-19 UT, also S=8-9. And three multitone ute services heard at S=5-6 level on 21479.5, 21500, and 21663.5 kHz. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, ibid.) Hearing the RNW transmitter test on 21480 via Madagascar on November 22 with a pretty decent signal between 1430 and 1445, // to 12080 via The Philippines. Fine signal here in Texas for a beam NOT directed to West Africa (Steve Luce, Houston, Texas, ibid.) Same here at 1510 with Radio Netherlands in English. Superb signal in the UK. 73s (Dave Kenny, Nov 22, dxldyg via DXLD) 21480, Nov 22 at 1530, RNW relay testing transmitter they got from defunct R. Sweden, English interview translating someone in Russian. Quite good signal tho fluttery and aimed at Europe. Occasional audio breakups. Even strong enough to overcome local VCR transmissions on 21477.5. Media Network blog had this Nov 14: ``First tests of ex-Hörby transmitter from Madagascar The first of the 250 kW ABB transmitters from the former Swedish shortwave station at Hörby installed at our Madagascar relay station is almost ready for testing. If all goes according to plan, the tests are scheduled for next week, 21-25 November, beamed towards Europe: 0700-1000 UTC on 21480 kHz (modulation: RNW Dutch) 1400-1557 UTC on 21480 kHz (modulation: RNW English) Andy Sennitt added Nov 21: Please note the special email address for these tests: rnwmonitoring @ gmail.com Would be nice if this is prolonged. But the current RNW schedule linked at HFCC shows test continuing until 26 November only, at 330 degrees (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Today the test transmission on 21480 kHz is coming in with comparatively strong signal also in Germany. Reminds me somehow of recordings of the old Radio RSA in German, beamed from Meyerton to Europe on 13 metres as well and having the same typical fading. Carrier was switched on at 1358, then 1 kHz (I think) test tone from 1359 for about half a minute, then switched over to some program audio in unid. language, apparently wrapping up a transmission. This source was faded down and up again (sounded indeed like someone playing on a mixing console), then at 1400 switched over to presumed RNW English with feature programme in progress (no news at either 1400 or 1430), perhaps not really the ideal kind of programming for shortwave distribution, also demonstrating how mixing speech with music easily creates an indistinct mush on a shortwave transmission with hard dynamic compression. No particular remarks about the audio processing, which may or may not be the same as always at Talata Volonondry. Also no distortion or similar problems from the transmitter to be noted. But I have a continuous high-pitched whine and occasional bursts of some data, sounding like fax, in the background. However, I can't tell for sure whether both are on the carrier (although in particular the whine may indeed be) or come from another source, perhaps even internal mixing in the radio. At least the frequency was completely clear before the Talata Volonondry carrier came up. In the last days I also checked two times or so shortly after 0800: At this time no trace of a signal. Either the transmitter was not on in these moments or 13 metres did not propagate from Madagascar to Germany at all. [later:] ... the background noises did not appear to originate from the Talata Volonondry transmitter, as I could note around 1500, when the signal temporarily reached a level close to that of a single-hop transmission from within Europe. Now I can also add that the modulation sounds a bit "dry", leaving something to be desired in regard to speech audibility with no real sharp presence and no real bass, besides a booming semi-bass, either. I think that's really unlike to what I heard from Talata Volonondry on earlier occasions. Some new gear onstead of the ancient brown boxes, which probably resulted in a similar change elsewhere? Forgot to compare with // 12080 from Tinang, announced as now closing down before 1457. The the following three minutes as usual shortwave transmission buffer had been killed with a series of trailers until the next programme ("The state we're in") started at 1500. I have to admit that I have not followed what became of RNW English in the last few years, and so I'm irritated: So the "RNW 2" output has already ceased to be a live radio station and is merely an automated playout of feature programming now, having stepped out of the hard news business altogether? I see ... Meanwhile at 1550, while the "The state we're in" has finished and the program feed went to fill music, the streetlights are already on and the last daylight has almost vanished. But 21480 still booms in here. Fascinating, one hardly experiences this on 13 metres signals here, since otherwise never anything is beamed at this time from sub-Saharan Africa on 21 MHz to Europe. Apparently I can press "send" and go out now, since this will not change anymore until the scheduled 1557 cut- off ... (Kai Ludwig, Germay, Nov 23, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hearing the RNW Madagascar test again on 21480 at 1435 November 23. Signal somewhat weaker than yesterday, with lots of rapid ionospheric flutter. No flutter on 12080 via The Philippines at the same time, but weaker signal than Madagascar. I would guess this Telefunken unit might be in regular service as early as next week, thus retiring the first of the old Philips units from 1972. I would also guess that similar tests of the other two Telefunken xmtrs will follow at the same times/frequency? (Steve Luce, Houston, Texas, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) On this same day I came across RNW using 21480 at 1500 past 1530 and with a very strong signal at my location in NW England = 20dB at first, dropping to 10 over 9 with little fading. Obviously via a less disturbed path to me than into Texas. Audio quality is a little 'muffled', but perhaps the satellite feed accounts for this? There is also sideband up to 21495 and down to 21465 that would be a problem for any adjacent station - if there was one. This signal was very much better than what I assume is >21840 1500 1600 52S,53SW,57N ASC 250 115 30 216 1234567 301011 250312 D 19665 English G YFR BAB 2210< which was struggling to even move the S meter, though the 115 degree beam is probably why. And there is only one other user, on 21610 from REE Spain, also at good strength = 10dB over 9 (Noel R. Green, UK, Nov 23, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 21480, Nov 23 at 1437, the RNW test from MADAGASCAR of used transmitter from Sweden heard again, `Earthbeat` show interviewing a woman experimentally living in very confined space, then about crowded living conditions in Mumbai which as an almost-island can`t expand to suburbs. Good strength but flutter and heavy Doppler effect making the frequency wobble with BFO on. Reports from Europe where this is aimed indicate much better reception. But it`s not to test propagation, instead transmission quality, and don`t expect it to lead to any revival of English broadcasts to Europe, let alone North America, to be finished in a few more days. Will it nevertheless leave Talata with increased capacity (plus another one on the way)? Or as soon as in regular service, will they decommission old transmitter(s). Or have they already, to make room for the new ones? (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADAGASCAR. 17650, Nov 22 at 2032, surprised to hear NHK IS & IDs in Japanese and English until 2033:40, plus open carrier until 2035:20*. It`s the new French broadcast at 2000-2030 prolonged for some reason. BTW, Aoki still lacks this entry as of Nov 23 at 1300 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also NETHERLANDS [non] ** MALAYSIA [and non]. Lunedì 14 novembre 2011 - 0832 - 15290 kHz, NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN - Issoudun (Francia), Giapponese, cronaca di un incontro di sumo!!! Segnale sufficiente-insufficiente - Mi sembra che SUARA MALAYSIA 15295 sia di nuovo spenta, forse da alcune settimane (Luca Botto Fiora, G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** MALI. 5995, Radio Television Mali, Bamako with National Anthem 0558, flute music and opening idents including frequencies in French, fair but noisy conditions 22 Oct (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5995, RTVM, 0740-0800*, vernacular talk. Local Afro-pop music. Local rustic African music. Sign off with flute IS. Poor in noisy conditions. Co-channel QRM from Radio Australia IS starting at 0758. Nov 19. 9635, RTVM, *0800:37-0820, sign on with flute IS and opening French ID announcements. Continuous local rustic African tribal music at 0801. Fair to good. Nov 19 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** MEXICO. RADIO HUAYA: RADIO COMUNITARIA http://bit.ly/u17NSU [article on successor to the 2390 kHz station, LV de los Campesinos] (via Yimber Gaviría, Colombia, DXLD) Hola, Glenn. Aprovechando el reportaje de Sofia de los Presagios Sobre Radio Huayacocotla, respondio a mi interrogante. Saludos, Yimber From: Sofía De los Presagios To: Yimber Gaviria Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 4:58 PM Subject: Re: Radio Huaya: radio comunitaria ``Qué tal Yimber, Gracias por leer y compartir información respecto a las radios. Precisando: La Radio "La Voz de los Campesinos" transmite desde hace años en el 105.5 de Frecuencia Modulada desde el Pueblo de Huayacocotla en el estado de Veracruz, México. Efectivamente previo a pasar a la banda de Frecuencia Modulada se transmitía en onda corta. Repito, desde el 2005 ya no. Por internet puede escuchar en http://www.fomento.org.mx Estamos atentos y pendientes ante cualquier cosa. Saludos, Sofía`` (via Yimber Gaviría, DXLD) ** MEXICO. 6009.99, Tentative, Radio Mil, 0856, believe this to be the one with Spanish pop music, 0858 ad string or similar, into more pop music. Missed ID if one given. All alone (no hets) and fair on peaks. Radio Educación also very good at this time. 18 Nov (David Sharp, NSW, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONGOLIA. 4830, 1443-1501'40*, Mongolian Radio, Altay, 20/11, Mongolian, YL talk, Mongolian song, OM talk and orchestral national anthem - almost fair at the beginning, then poor due to local noise and RTTY QRM, // 7260 poor under VOR (Mikhail Timofeyev, DSWCI member no. 2987 http://dxcorner.narod.ru Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: Long wire (30 m), St. Petersburg, Russia, HCDX via DXLD) ** MONGOLIA. MONGOLIA; The Voice of Mongolia Broadcast Schedule October 30, 2011 to March 31, 2012 English 1030-1100 12085 South Asia/ Europe 1530-1600 12085 South Asia/ Europe Chinese 1000-1030 12085 Asia 1430-1500 12085 Asia, South Asia Japanese 0900-0930 12085 Asia 1500-1530 12085 Asia Mongolian 0930-1000 12085 Asia 1400-1430 12085 South Asia (from http://www.vom.mn/en via Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, Nov 23, dxldyg, English via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) ** MOROCCO [and non]. 15349.5, Nov 19 at 1505, IMM with Arabic music and talk, rather muffled modulation, making a big het against stronger Radio Veritas Asia, Philippines [q.v.] via VATICAN 15350. Morocco refuses to participate in HFCC, but Aoki B-11, now available in plain text at http://www1.m2.mediacat.ne.jp/binews/bib11.txt shows it shifting from 15341 to 15345 at 1410. By 1557, RVA is off and Morocco is in the clear. We can only hope 15349.5 is a deliberate permanent change lasting until 2200* since that would get it off Argentina, stuck on 15345v, also refusing to participate in HFCC, where the two have been colliding for many years. HFCC shows only one item on 15350 later in the day: Oman at 18-20, but we suspect that is one of their many wooden entries. Aoki omits it. There are some other broadcasts in the next hours on 15345, but 15340 is open after HCJB Australia finishes at 1530; Morocco 15341 had been horribly colliding with that until switching to 15345 at variable times; what will happen later today and tomorrow? 15349.14, 1808-1822, RTV Marocaine, Nador, 19/11, Arabic, OM sport talks including fragments of some football reportage - fair with local noise (Mikhail Timofeyev, http://dxcorner.narod.ru Drake R8A, Antenna: Long wire (30 m), St. Petersburg, Russia, HCDX via DXLD) 15349.1, Nov 19 at 1811, IMM has shifted down to here after being closer to 15349.5 in the 15 UT hour as heard earlier same day. Sounds like sports discussion in Arabic. BTW, IMM has a constant whine on its own transmission here, distinct from any hets it may cause with on- frequency stations. I assume this meant R. Nacional, ARGENTINA close to 15345v was no longer blocked, nor should it be on M-F when it`s RAE in foreign languages! 15349.1 still the spot Nov 20 at 1420 in Arabish, long-path echo too and its own low whine. But this is still a big problem at 15-16 only, again making huge het with 15350.0 RVA via VATICAN at 1519 check. During this hour until 1600, IMM should stay on 15345, but such a neat solution is probably impossible. Maybe RVA will move if Morocco stix with 15349+. Not much signal Nov 20 at 1818 on 15345 from presumed Argentina, but still in the clear with IMM still on 15349+, boding well for the English hour M-F at 18-19, and more Eurolangs until 22. 15349.1, Nov 20 at 2158, IMM is still on its latest frequency choice, away from Argentina [q.v.] on 15345.0+ (the latter is closer to 15345 than IMM is to 15349), which is a big improvement, but not quite enough, as a 4+ kHz het beats away between them now; with sufficient signals, either can be avoided by side-tuning a bit. Mikhail Timofeyev, St. Pete, measured this Nov 19 at 1808 on 15349.14. 2200 is the nominal closedown time of IMM, but keeps going with Arabic ID, news. Finally cuts off around 2215. This signal does not suffer from flutter like Argentina. 15349.1, Nov 21 at 1403, IMM is still here for a third day, ex- 15341v/15345v, clear with Arabic, but hit at 1458:40 by big het from Vatican as legitimately scheduled on 15350; see PHILIPPINES [non] (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15349.1, Nov 22 at 1350, IMM making huge het against strong 15350 TRT, ruining its Turkish music. VOT is scheduled here all the way from 0700 to 1356, per Aoki, which also hasn`t caught up with Morocco`s new frequency as of Nov 22, still showing 0800-1410 on 15341, 1410-2100 on 15345, both 250 kW, 110 degrees from Nador. The question is whether IMM is still on 15341, or even 15345 at an earlier hour, or is it on 15349.1 only now, from 0800, colliding with Turkey all that time? IMM is clear for an hour at 14-15, before RVA via VATICAN comes on 15350 for its one-hour broadcast; at 1404 Arabic music and talk. So only after 1600 can we almost approve of the new frequency as it gets 4 kHz away from Argentina 15345v. 5 or 10 kHz would be much better (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15349.1+, Nov 23 at 2200, IMM Arabic modulation stops at 2200 sharp, no timesignal, cuts off the air at 2200:25*; unlike previous days when ran to 2215 or even 2235+; thus removing 4+ kHz het from RAE ARGENTINA 15345.0+, which was still playing its ethereal IS, transitioning from German to Spanish on weekdays. I`m still waiting for anyone east of the sunrise terminator to say whether IMM is also on 15349.1 as early as their listed *0800 on (ex?)-15341. But I fear it is, despite TRT Turkish already on 15350 from *0700. Nov 24 I awaken early enough to check at 1213, and the two are already making their unacceptable het while 19m signals are just starting to build up an hour before sunrise here. On WORLD OF RADIO 1592, I mistakenly refer to HCJB Australia using 15340 until 1300, a clash now avoided, but that`s the sign-off of their other frequency, 15400, the last semihour in English, while 15340 in S Asian languages stays on until 1530; anyhow, neither one propagating much here for weeks (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also ARGENTINA ** MYANMAR/BURMA. It was announced today at the ASEAN summit being held in Bali that Myanmar will hold the chairmanship of the ten member Association of South East Asian Nations in 2014. This was in response to the rapidly occurring reforms happening in Myanmar. “The change in Myanmar in the last six months, by Myanmar standards, is absolutely breathtaking,” said Hal Hill, a professor of Southeast Asian economies at the Australian National University; quoted from http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE7AG0QQ20111117 On Nov 16, I again checked the Myanma Radio broadcast in English on 5985.0, via Naypyidaw, at the end of the news at 1539 and continue to find they no longer use the strongly worded anti-VOA, BBC, RFA and DVB slogan that had been in place here for many years. This reflects Myanmar’s increasing overture to the West to counterbalance their close relationship with China. The new Defense Chief General Min Aung Hlaing has traveled abroad for the first time. In the past such a trip would always have started with China, but this time he went to Vietnam instead. “New Military Chief Snubs China with Vietnam Visit” http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=22458 (Ron Howard, San Francisco, CA, Nov 17, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) On Nov 18 it was announced that Secretary of State Clinton will be visiting Myanmar in December. She will be the first US secretary of state to visit that country in 50 years! We can hope that Myanma Radio will have extensive coverage of her historic trip. http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Obama-Announces-Major-New-Diplomatic-Initiative-on-Burma-134100878.html http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/southeast/Obama-Speaks-with-Burmas-Aung-San-Suu-Kyi--134112163.html (Ron Howard, CA, ibid.) http://www.insidevoa.com/media-relations/press-releases/VOA-Website-Visits-Jump-After-Burma-Eases-Censorship---134260458.html (VOA PR via DXLD) ** NEPAL. DX-pedition to Nepal --- Hello! Please see my name & Lissy's name (VU2JOS & VU3LMS) in Phone & Mixed tables in the link below, for contacting 9N7MD Dxpediion station on different bands & modes from Nepal. http://www.mdxc.org/nepal2011/top-10-tables 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082, India, Cell: + 91 80993 70625 Tel: + 91 40 2331 0287, + 91 40 6516 7388 Fax: + 91 40 2331 0787 http://www.niar.org DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS. UNA VISITA A LA ESTACIÓN DE HILVERSUM PCJ, EN 1929 There's lot of info about PCJ, thanks to different sources. The interesting issue in this post is the tale of a visit to the studios in Hilversum by a Spaniard in 1929. A colorful writing, extracted from pages of Barcelona Spain "La Vanguardia". Audios and videos are found also in the web. http://lagalenadelsur.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/1929-una-visita-a-la-estacion-de-hilversum-pcj/ (Horacio Nigro Geolkiewsky, Montevideo, Uruguay, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. Re 11-46: Domenica 20 novembre 2011 Adesso occhio a questo paio di ascolti: 1018 - 6235 // 5955 kHz RADIO NEDERLAND - Spuria di Wertachtal (Germania) Olandese, intervista YL -> OM. Segnale sufficiente- insufficiente. L'avevo già segnalata giorni fa, oggi l'ho sentita con l'R7 Drake, quindi non è un problema di ricevitori. 6235 - 5915 = 280 kHz. - 10.30 - 5815 kHz, Credevo fosse un'europirata, invece: KBC + RADIO NEDERLAND - Spurie di Wertachtal (Germania) 5955 - 5815 = 140 kHz 6095 - 5815 = 280 kHz Lo stesso tipo di missaggio tra i due segnali si sentiva, più basso, anche su 6375 kHz: 6375 - 5955 = 420 kHz 6375 - 6095 = 280 kHz Anche la differenza tra le due frequenze fondamentali, ovvero 6095 e 5955, corrisponde a 140 kHz, quindi tutte spurie pari a questo valore o di esso multipli, ma il problema non è determinato dalla contemporanea accensione di due impianti dalla stessa postazione, perché Radio Nederland su 6235 l'ho sentita anche quando non è accesa KBC su 6095. Il tutto è un po' macchinoso, però rispecchia ciò che ho sentito Sono andato a ricercare il precedente ascolto di Radio Nederland su 6235 kHz e ho visto che l'ho effettuato *sabato* 12 novembre, quindi 1) non durante la settimana e 2) quando è anche accesa KBC su 6095. E' probabile, allora, che a differenza di ciò che ho sostenuto nel messaggio di prima, il problema potrebbe essere determinato dalla contemporanea accensione - entrambe da Wertachtal - di RNW su 5955 e KBC 6095 e la differenza di 140 kHz tra i due valori per qualche ragione produce delle armoniche, multiple esatte della fondamentale - che escono qua e là tra 5800 e 6400 kHz. E' sempre un po' macchinoso come meccanismo ma leggermente più chiaro. Una roba tipo l'effetto Lussemburgo che si ascolta in onde medie e lunghe dal nord-ovest europeo con i trasmettitori più potenti (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Like I said in 11-46 (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. 15315, Nov 20 at 2201, RNW in Dutch, good signal, but is it Greenville substituting for the ratty Bonaire transmitter, or has that now been repaired; as of when? Expectation was to be fixed by Nov 18 or so. Were any other relays via Bonaire affected, and if so how? Perhaps the answer will be here: http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/rats-damage-one-of-the-bonaire-transmitters#comment-3677185 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also MADAGASCAR Answering my query whether 15315 at 2200 Nov 20 in Dutch from RNW was via Greenville or reactivated Bonaire: [Media Network] New Comment On: Rats damage one Bonaire transmitter http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/rats-damage-one-of-the-bonaire-transmitters Only the three transmissions we mentioned are affected. The transmitter has been cleaned, but the spare parts have not yet arrived from Switzerland. Greenville will continue to provide backup service until further notice (Andy Sennitt, 1136 UT Nov 21, Media Network blog comment via DXLD) Andy Sennitt added a comment to the blog post early this morning (11/21, 1136 GMT): "I just learned from our Programme Distribution Department that things are now back for normal, so the Bonaire transmitter will be back on the air starting tonight (21 November) at 2200 UTC." (via Dan Ferguson, NASWA yg via DXLD) Strange, the timestamp of this item is the same as the one I got direct from MN blog saying 15315 would stay Greenville for a while longer. I guess Andy quickly replaced the original reply (gh, DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. RNZI with wrong frequency again. As I write this, 1910 UT, RNZI, which was supposed to be on 11725 AM, is on 15720, and their webpage says they're on the air on 11725 AM. The last time I observed this mistake was when I reported it to them, on the 13th Nov. Reception on 15720 is rated 35433. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, Nov 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9765, 0950-1010, Radio New Zealand International, Rangitaiki, 20/11, English, OM talk about US rock'n'roll music with some songs of the 50s and 60s, 0959'55 time pips and "Radio New Zealand news..." with final weather report, then rock'n'roll program again - good with slight local noise, fading and muffled audio due to the long distance (Mikhail Timofeyev, http://dxcorner.narod.ru Drake R8A, Antenna: Long wire (30 m), St. Petersburg, Russia, HCDX via DXLD) ** NIGER. 9704.98, La Voix du Sahel (presumed), 0537-0544 Nov 11. Sub- Saharan music with unique vocals and instruments; tuned out at 0544. Fair (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 4-foot box loop, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** NORTH AMERICA. [Pirate]. 6925.07, Radio Jamba International, 0405- 0425, IDs. Weird music. R-rated music and talk. Fair to good. Nov 19 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA, Equipment: Icom IC-7600, two 100 foot longwires, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. Re 11-46: Hi Glenn, This entry that you have is not correct. I think somebody got their information mixed up. I have nothing to do with "Doc John". I may have been on that day, but the log entry is not correct (RTN, Nov 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: ``6950, Radio True North (Pirate) 0013 UT - "Doc John" in English with rock music on vinyl. 35544 V Good. Nov 12 (Bruce Jensen, Pigeon Point, California, USA, Listening from car with Icom IC-R75 and 135-meter longwire. Some tentative, all comments welcome, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` ** OKLAHOMA. 1520, KOKC- Oklahoma City, OK, 1113, noted as big het against 2QN 1521, when semi-local nulled, good copy in LSB with network show, discussion about Penn State sex abuse scandal by a man and woman. About the strongest I've ever heard this. 21 Nov (David Sharp, NSW, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Evidence of what`s important in this state: you may have heard that two basketball coaches from OSU were killed in a private plane crash, along with the octogenarian pilot and his wife. This was top news across the state`s media not only everafter it happened, but Monday November 21 at 1900 UT when the big four OKC TV stations all pre-empted programming to carry a live memorial service for them from the OSU stadium, running more than an hour. It`s unimaginable that such respect would be shown if any mere academix had been the victims (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OMAN. 15140, R. Sultanate of Oman, 1359-1500 Nov 12. Pop music program with M&W hosting; Big Ben-type chimes at 1429, then time check for "6:30" and regional news, beginning with headlines; many datelines from Oman, Pakistan, and Iran; YL with short story reading 1444-1457. Good at tune-in but had deteriorated by 1457. Did note chimes again at 1500 (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 4-foot box loop, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 15140, Nov 18 at 1430, R. Sultanate of Oman is no longer so rare with improved conditions, but never a very good signal. At tune-in playing military march tune, presumably their version of a news theme, as every Mideast station has one. Into headlines with music underneath, undermining readability even tho American accent. At 1431.5 kills the music for body of news, but still tough copy (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. Re 11-46: Correcting freq which was typo'ed as 3925. Just noticed when I reviewed my logs this morning. Sorry for the inconvenience. 3975, R. Pakistan - Rewat, 1705, English, per Pankov and Gonçalves, here with possible news, but tough copy in (approaching) t'storm QRN. 16 Nov (David Sharp, NSW, DX LISTENING DIGEST)) ** PAKISTAN. 15725, Radio Pakistan very good with English language news bulletin after time signals at 1100 on 7 Nov. Also noted at 0905 but transmitter has modulation problems. Parallel 17700 suffers severe interference from China Radio International on 17690 in English (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9470, Radio Pakistan - Islamabad, 1702-1717 Nov 19, woman announcer with English language news. ID at 1710 followed by presumed Urdu language program with male vocals and announcements. Poor but presumably will get better as winter approaches (Rich D'Angelo, 2216 Burkey Drive, Wyomissing, PA 19610, Ten-Tec RX-340, Drake R-8B, Eton E1, Eton E5, Alpha Delta DX Sloper, RF Systems Mini-Windom, Datong FL3, JPS ANC-4, NASWA Flashsheet via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXKD( 9470 collides with longtime INDIA channel; see next DXLD or my log reports already in dxldyg (gh) Logs for the 17th of November: 15290, R Pakistan 1344 with a max of S7 and sometimes bad though trebly modulation. Strong QRM from 15285 CRI? with S20 requires USB reception. ID 1346 with talk in Urdu. Next in between Hindi / Afghan song // 11585 (clear) (Zacharias Liangas, Thessaloniki, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ABSURD PROGRAMME CONTENT OF RADIO PAKISTAN NEPALI, SINHALI AND TAMIL SERVICES Hi Glenn, Radio Pakistan relaunched its Nepali,Tamil and Sinhali language broadcasts on shortwave on 2-2-2010 after discontinuation for around three years. The decision for relaunching these transmissions must have been based on some absurd logic as these transmissions at the time of discontinuation hardly had any audience in the respective countries owing to poor signal and programme content. The programme content for these three language transmissions does not focus on the target audience. Out of the total duration of half hour each for the respective broadcasts, only one news bulletin of three minutes duration in the respective language is broadcast and rest of time, Urdu film or devotional music is played. There is nothing else which could be termed as Nepali, Tamil or Sinhali in these transmissions as 90% of the broadcast matter is in Urdu. It is hard to find such mindless broadcasts from any other international broadcaster, even of a smaller country. Even if Radio Pakistan want to restrict its external service to playing music only, at least some of the music should be from the target area. No news commentaries, current affairs or featured programmes about economy, history, culture, sports, etc. of Pakistan and of bilateral interest with the target audience which normally are part of programme content of any external service are broadcast. When it comes to mindless broadcasting and wasting time and money, no other organization can beat Radio Pakistan external service. Regards (Aslam Javaid, Pakistan, Nov 24, cc to Director General of PBC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PALESTINE [and non]. Radio AllforPeace was forced to halt of all air broadcasts --- Published on 19 November 2011 http://allforpeace.org/eng/radio-allforpeace-was-forced-to-halt-of-all-air-broadcasts On Thursday 17th of November, Mossi Raz, co-director of All For Peace Radio, was summoned to a meeting at the police. There he was questioned under caution for three hours on suspicion of operating an illegal radio. Mossi Raz was released only after he had to sign a statement that “he will stop the broadcasts that are intended for the residence of Israel” and then was forced to make a telephone call which ordered a halt to the station’s broadcast. The police made it clear to Raz that if he does not comply with the demand to sign and perform the call, he would be brought before a judge to remand and to be arrested and that the police will raid the offices of the radio station. Mossi Raz had to fulfill the demands of the police investigators. Since Thursday, November 17th, the Hebrew on-air radio broadcast 107.2 FM has stopped. All For Peace, has been broadcasting from its transmitters in Ramallah. Which The Jerusalem Times- Biladi registered in the Palestinian Authority has its license from the Palestinian Ministry of Communication since 2004 till today to broadcast on 107.2 FM for Hebrew and 87.8FM Arabic Frequency. Needless to say that Israeli law does not apply in Ramallah. All for Peace Radio operates from its recording studio in East Jerusalem-Sheikh Jarrah, next the Israeli National headquarters of the police, where radio programs are recorded and uploaded to the Internet. For seven years of operation of AFP radio the radio executives have met several times with Israeli senior officials from the Ministry of Communications, among others. In none of these dealings were the managers asked to cease the radio broadcasts, or have been warned that there is a problem with the existence of AFP or its broadcast. On November 4th (a symbolic date) the radio received a letter from the Ministry of Communications demanding the immediate halt of all air broadcasts for its illegality, the radio executives responded that they express regret for determination of facts in a letter, and will respond in detail to the facts as well as to the demand to halt all broadcasts with in the coming days. The Ministry of Communications CEO’s office received the letter on Wednesday the 16th of November. The very next day Mossi Raz was summoned for questioning under caution and the broadcasting was forced to halt. All for Peace Radio is committed to End of the Occupation, promoting Freedom, Democracy, Equality and Peace; according to a two-state solution and to be a platform for excluded groups in society as well as to promote freedom of expression and democracy in both nations. AFP program schedule include programs dealing with social and economic issues, political discourse, promotion of human and civil rights, programs that constitute social and political criticism as well as music and cultural programs. Most of AFP Radio program editors and broadcasters do so voluntarily out of the belief in freedom of expression freedom of speech and freedom of thought. It seems that in these days, when the Israeli Knesset is swamped with a wave of anti-democratic legislation, the authorities found it necessary to stop the broadcasts of the only radio station that openly allows discussions and statements that support democracy. All for Peace will be approaching the Supreme Court On Sunday the 20th of November 2011. 3 Responses to “Radio AllforPeace was forced to halt of all air broadcasts” A. Hume says: November 20, 2011 at 9:30 am I was shocked to hear that your radio station was shut down by the israeli Government on Thursday. I pray that true freedom of opinion and expression, including the right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers, as set forth in Article 19 of the International Declaration of Human Rights, will soon again exist in Israel and in Palestine. Shimon Z. Klein says: November 20, 2011 at 10:00 pm It is hardly surprising that the AllforPeace radio station was banned. It is with great sadness that the Knesset is becoming draconian and autocratic. This is a threat to democracy and free speech. These disturbing trends can only be curbed at the ballot box. We have witnessed a plethora of anti-democratic bills in the Knesset and the macabre mix of Judaic religious fundamentalism with national paranoia does not bode well for Israel’s future as a democratic state. The handwriting is on the wall and this is one of the symptoms of Israel’s eroding democracy (via Yimber Gaviria who sent Spanish version, DXLD) see also ISRAEL [non] ** PERU. CARLOS GAMARRA : ACTIVACION DE RADIO UNIVERSAL 6090 kHz Hola Amigos Radioescuchas! Saludos desde Cusco el ombelico del mundo! Buenas noticias!!!! Por fin llegò la autorización de Misterio [sic!] de Trasportes y Comunicaciones y la autorización de la frecuencia de onda corta a Radio Universal de CUSCO PERU" "Radio Universal está en la banda de 49 mts, 6090 kHz, estamos preperando la QSL de la estación ... actualmente sólo emite señal de prueba desde las 0130 hasta las 0300 UTC en la onda corta" Carlos Gamarra Moscoso will confirm only correct reports, with QSL card & Pennant recordatorio. "Estamos a la espectativa de recibir informes de recepción" Dirección postal: Carlos Gamarra Moscoso, Av. Garcilaso 411, WANCHAQ, CUSCO PERU' Por cubrir los gastos de envío postal recomendado por favor enviar 5 US $. To cover postal fees to reply by registered letter please add 5 US $. GRACIAS y CORDIALES DX DESDE CUSCO PERU 128's! (Carlos Gamarra Moscoso adalidcusco @ hotmail.com November 19, via Dario Monferini, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) What are 128s? O, probably 73s plus 55s! What are 55s? Power? Probably 1 kW or less. Now all we need is to catch it, on an occasion when ANGUILLA is missing from its night frequency as happens once in a while. HFCC shows nothing else on 6090 during that sesquihour except for a Chinese domestic in the local daytime; Aoki reminds us of possible R. Bandeirantes (so be sure what you hear isn`t Portuguese), and another little Latin which has chosen this unfortunate frequency for potential activity, Radio Esperanza in Temuco, Chile, both shown as 10 kW, potentially 24 hours. They should try testing at 1000 UT, right after Anguilla goes to 11775, when the only competition should be the other S Americans, maybe; Aoki shows CNR1, Geermu, restarting 6090 at 1100, 100 kW, 172 degrees, while HFCC shows it from 1000 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, yes 128 is 73+55 (good luck). Power is 5 kW. Problem is they can use only 6090 kHz on SW, even if I suggested to buy the concession of Radio La Hora in 60 meters. May be in Florida is possible to catch Radio Universal on 6090 kHz ??? Good monitorings. 128's (Dario Monferini, Italy, Nov 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks Glenn for your suggestions I will send them to Carlos Gamarra; will let you know if there are news about these tests. Power expected 5 kW, but less radiated. On 6090 Chile is inactive, Bandeirantes irregular. Problem is just Anguilla, almost here in Europe. 128's !!!!!!!! (Dario Monferini, Nov 23, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES [non]. 15350, Nov 19 at 1505, RVA via VATICAN, VG signal off the back since it`s aimed 130 degrees to NE Africa and SW Asia, in Engalog (or is it Taglish?), Tagalog but with lots of English mixed in; 1519 segment mostly in English. Trouble is, there is a BIG het from 15349.5, where MOROCCO, q.v., has now jumped up. RVA is strong enough that can eliminate the het by sidetuning upward even with rather broad FRG-7 selectivity. Off by 1557; Aoki says -1553 15350, Nov 21 at *1458:40, VATICAN carrier cuts on producing big het with MOROCCO [q.v.] which for the third day is on 15349.1; no IS but 1500 theme and ID from R. Veritas Asia. Something needs to give during this hour, but how long will it take for any of the stations to notice or take action? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** POLAND [non]. 15770, Nov 20 at 1423, good signal with cowboy ballad in very minor key, but lyrix sound Russian; then Russian announcement mentioning polski, and more music; gone at 1433 recheck. I at first guessed R. Liberty or the like, but it`s really PRW/PRES, 1400-1430, 125 kW, 70 degrees from Woofferton UK, in Russian. As usual, it`s far easier to hear Warszawa [non] in any language but English (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PRIDNESTROVOYE [and non]. 7290, Nov 22 at 2038, poor signal in English, improving gradually, seems talk about politics/history. 2044 Radio PMR ID and English sked as 1830, 2030 [M-F]; 2230 [UT Sun-Thu], contact info, 2045 into music fill and QRhaM starts. Is IRRS still colliding with this at 19-20, which is a bit early to hear here? HFCC shows `MIL`, which is really Tiganeshti, ROMANIA, at 19-20 on Fri-Sat-Sun only, plus 1830-1900 on Sundays only, in English. Incredibly, Aoki still shows this as Rimavska Sobota, Slovakia, which was replaced many months ago as transmitter site but never admitted by IRRS. Aoki has the 19-20 segment as The Overcomer, 7 days a week. IRRS` own day-by-day program schedule agrees with that, as European Gospel Radio with TOM at 19-20, something else tacked on Sundays from 1830. Of course, Radio PMR is weekdays only, which for them means not on the air between 2100 Friday and 2100 Sunday, so is the transmitter also off the air then? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. 17820, Nov 23 at 1440-1457* enjoyed music selexion from RRI, including jazzed-up popular classix with saxophone lead; no announcements at all and cut off the air rudely. It`s a bihour in Romanian from 1300 at 285 degrees from Galbeni, usually very good signal here, probably domestic service relay. BTW, on another unlogged frequency, I heard their Arabic ID as ``Sawt ul-Romania`` which means Voice of Romania; do they say that in any other languages? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 21600, RRI Bucharest to the Pacific interval signal and English s/on 0629 1 Nov, good with parallel 17780.03 very good. Closes 0658 (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. Rumania; Encuesta a Oyentes de Radio Rumania Internacional Estimada señora/ Estimado señor, Mejorar la estructura, el contenido y la calidad periodística de nuestros programas de radio, como también la calidad de la sintonía (por la modernización de nuestros emisores de onda corta, la mejora de nuestra presencia en línea o la ampliación de nuestros servicios de redifusión de programas) siuguen siendo nuestro principal objetivo, aquí en RRI. Al mismo tiempo, nos esforzamos por ampliar nuestra presencia en línea, inclusive a través de redes sociales y plataformas de contenidos digitales. Precisamente por esto, nos proponemos consultarle por intermedio de esta encuesta para ver en qué medida aprecia que hemos alcanzado estos objetivos. Sus apreciaciones, positivas o negativas, representan nuestra principal motivación para continuar mejorando nuestra actividad. Por consiguiente, nos agradaría si aceptara rellenar este formulario y mandarlo, cuanto antes, a nuestra dirección por fax, correo electrónico, directamente en nuestra página de Internet o en su próximo envío postal, pero antes del 15 de marzo del 2012. Los primeros 100 amigos oyentes en completar y devolver esta encuesta, recibirán por parte de los patrocinadores y socios de RRI, un regalo sorpresa que, seguramente, les gustará. Les agradecemos de antemano el apoyo y les aseguramos que sus respuestas son confidenciales, RRI las utilizará solamente con fines estadísticos. Eugen Cojocariu, Secretario general RRI Mas informacion: http://yimber.blogspot.com/2011/11/rumania-encuesta-oyentes-de-radio.html (Via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, Nov 18, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. DEVELOPMENT OF BROADCASTING IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION FOR 2009-2015 Powerful radio broadcasting infrastructure FSUE "Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network". Development system project that contains the solutions to streamline and modernize the state transmission network of powerful radio broadcasting. Digital television and new radio technologies in the media by the Federation Council Committee on Northern Affairs and Indigenous Peoples. The development of an information space in the Far North and similar areas. The task of providing broadcasting in the Far North and equivalent areas is the most difficult part of a general topological solutions. Complexity mainly due to the fact that these areas are vast areas with low population density and a poorly developed infrastructure, as well as several other factors - the harsh climatic conditions, the instability of the ionosphere (in the northern regions). And the introduction of radio broadcasting in the standard DRM will cost 13.684 billion rubles, {equivalent 700 mill. EURos, wb.}). According to the program by 2014 the population served by broadcasting should bring up to 100% and enable them to receive the mandatory TV and radio channels. This status bit earlier received the "First Channel" and "Russia", "Culture," "Sports", "Vesti-24", NTV, "Petersburg-fifth channel", a youth channel (will be based on "Bibigon" and "Telenjanja"); and radio programs "Radio Russia", "Lighthouse" and "Vesti FM". For broadcasting in the sparsely populated, remote areas of Siberia, the Far North, and that part of the European territory of the country which can not be covered by broadcast transmitters of other frequency bands, it is assumed the use of transmitters HF band. In this case its use is economically and technically justified. For these purposes, the existing infrastructure will be used by radio stations. - i.e. a new 250 kW shortwave unit for broadcasts in 25 and 31 mb will be installed at Chita Alexandrovka site. * New equipment for combined AM/DRM services on LW/MW/SW net. All mounted transmitters will be able to work both in analog mode and digital standard DRM. & = later DRM Chita on 153 kHz 150 kW. Future Radio Rossii DRM outlet to Burjatia, northern Irkutsk Oblast, western Yakutsk, Sacha, Evenkiysky. also details on (via BC-DX Nov 18 via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 5940, 0459'55-0521, Radio Rossii, Magadan, 20/11, Russian, time pips, ID, OM news and weather report, YL sport news, Yury Loza song called Zima (Winter) and then Mezhdunarodnaya panorama - poor- almost fair with slight heterodyne, // 6075 fair and even better till 0519 when CVA came on the frequency. 6075, 1232-1300*, Radio Rossii, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 19/11, Russian, OM talk about baroque music with some musical fragments, ID at 1257'39 and sign off after final time pips - poor with local noise, QRM from 6070 (BLR), then almost fair starting from 1252 and poor-weak again starting from 1258'04 under CVA interval signals (Mikhail Timofeyev, DSWCI member no. 2987 http://dxcorner.narod.ru Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: Long wire (30 m), St. Petersburg, Russia, HCDX via DXLD) Wonder if from your side of Russia you can hear the 2MTL or 8GAL CW markers on 6074 just as RR 6075 closes down at 1300? (gh, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. On November 23, I noted that the afternoon transmission of Radio Rossii Krasnoyarsk had been expanded from usual 50 minutes to 1 hour and was relayed on 6085 from 0500 to 0600. I don't know if morning and evening transmissions are also expanded (Vladimir Kovalenko, Tomsk, Russia (Icom IC-R8500, wire 120 meters long), HCDX via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. St. Petersburg Regional Center, 6135, f/d commemorative QSL card in 13 days for English email report on Spanish VoR program. V/s Mikhail Timofeyev, also sent very beautiful 10th anniversary pennant which will hang proudly on my wall. Truly a beautiful card showing the beauty of the St. Petersburg area and broadcast tower. 73 (Al Muick, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. RW729 - 7230 kHz - Radio Rossii-Sakha - Yakutsk (RUS) - QSL Hi friends, I have received in one day a QSL-email from the Director of GTRK-Sakha confirming my reception of Radio Rossii-Sakha on 7230 kHz. There is a little confusion about who is the producer of the regional programming on Radio Rossii in the Yakutian territory. Many sources are linking the regional radio company "NVK Sakha" with this local slots on Radio Rossii. This program comeS from GTRK-Sakha, the regional branch of the national RTV company. That's why all my previous reports to the Yakutian regional radio company were unanswered. They have their own web site at: http://gtrksakha.ru/ I got a local ID at 0140 on 17NOV2011. This does not match with the schedule given by Mr. Ch. N. Dyakonov, Director. He says me: "Dear friend, Maurisio! We are very glad to see your letter and we confirm your radio reception from "Aldea Del kano" Spain, on November, 17th, 2011 0140 UTC Radio of Russia–Sakha an broadcasting on 7230 hertz, transmitter RV-729, from Yakutsk, Russia. Earlier we received many letters from radio fans of the different countries of the world, but they confused us to other radio stations. Maurisio, you the first who has really heard our radio, because our radio go to air only in Republic of Sakha Yakutiya. We inform that our airtime at 7.10-8.00, 13.33–14.00, 18.10-19.00 local time. We work on the two languages, on Yakut is native language people of Sakha and Russian. Our channel is state, and works in information-publicistic format. We send our photos and hot greetings from Northern land. Mr. Ch. N. Dyakonov, Director". So, as Yakutsk is in UTC+10 zone, the Utimes are: 2110-2200, 0333-0400 and 0810-0900. I sent my report to gtrksakha (a) yandex.ru The reply comes in 1 day with 14mb of photos about GTRK-Sakha people and Yakutsk city. And a big Thank you to Dmitry Mezin for his help with the ID. 73s (Mauricio Molano, Salamanca, ESPAÑA - SPAIN, RX site: Aldea del Cano, Cáceres. LAT: 39º17'09.70 N LONG: 6º19'00 W, RX: PERSEUS. ANT: WELLBROOK ALA1530S+ http://moladx.blogspot.com/ Nov 23, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Mauricio, I think a couple of years ago I heard programmes for both GTRK and NVK Sakha on the same SW. Now according to http://www.nvksakha.ru/node/383 Radio NVK Sakha programmes are carried only on 864 kHz MW and FM. But if the Internet pages I checked are to be believed, both are state- owned companies: http://www.yakutiatoday.com/region/media.shtml NVK Sakha cooperating with VGTRK: http://www.vgtrk.com/ Right, Dmitry? 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, ibid.) ** RUSSIA. Re 11-46: Voice of Russia interval signal alive and kicking. Reports of the death of VoR's "Great Gates of Kiev" interval signal are greatly exaggerated. There's no doubt it's not aired as much as it used to be, but it's not been ditched completely. For instance, I heard it today (20 Nov 2011) on 9480 kHz at 1558 UT, heralding the second hour of Voice of Russia's Arabic Service (though it wasn't used prior to the start of the service and the frequency coming on air at 1500). (David Kernick, UK, Nov 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11830, Nov 20 at 2217, VOR in English conversation, fair signal a second ahead of // 7250. 22-23 on 11830 is 250 kW, 64 degrees from Pet/Kam to WNAm, a strange isolated transmission, not followed by another frequency from there until 0200, and local time is only 2-3 pm PST. 7250 is via ``Armavir`` in western Russia. 7290 effectively takes over from 11830 at 2300 from Pridnestrovye, but now it`s still Radio PMR in Russian on UT Sunday = local Monday (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 21805, Voice of Russia via Novosibirsk very strong in English 0600 past 0930 1 Nov. New frequency replacing 21790. Scheduled to 1000 (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. [Re 11-46:] B-11 Voice of Russia Moscow International Russian radio Since the beginning of B-11 season, the International Russian Radio has been available only online, http://95.81.162.158:8000/mrr (64 kbps). All IRR's mediumwave broadcasts were cancelled on October 29 (Aleksandr Diadischev, Ukraine, Nov 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA [non]. BROADCASTING IN RUSSIAN --- Photographs of the staff of the Russian editions of the radio stations: The Russian edition of the Radio Bulgaria: http://bnr.bg/sites/ru/about/Pages/RussianService.aspx The Russian department of KNLS: http://www.knls.net/rus/staff.htm Leading Radio Station "Belarus ": http://www.radiobelarus.tvr.by/rus/vedradio.asp The Russian edition of the Radio Sweden: http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2103&artikel=3411036 The Russian edition of the Radio Slovakia: http://www.rozhlas.sk/radio-international-ru/vydanie The Russian edition of Radio Taiwan International: http://russian.rti.org.tw/Program/HostsArchives.aspx The Russian edition of the Polish radio: http://www2.polskieradio.pl/zagranica/onas/?id=8&p=1 The Russian edition of the International radio of Moldova: http://www.trm.md/index.php?add=10 On the photo - Vladimir Gudzenko, Moscow region The Russian edition of the International Radio of Moldova is Valentina Zavalnaya (in the picture it in a striped jacket) and Valentina Rosu (far right). That is, there are only two. They are the same in the screenshot below. Beside me, in glasses - Clara Bakalym, director of MPM. The tallest girl - Natalia Gyp, the English edition. Other employees can be recognized by the pictures on the pages of the respective editorial boards. they All come from different language editions of the MPM. But in the Russian - only two Valentina.) Russian service of UN Radio: http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/russian/%d0%9e-%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%81 (Dmitry Kutuzov, Ryazan, Russia / "deneb-radio-dx" via RusDX via DXLD) You can see the photos Svetlana Demidova and podcast programs in the Russian language of the International Spanish radio http://www.rtve.es/podcast/radio-exterior/emision-en-ruso/ (editor) (RusDX via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. [INTRUDER ALERT] Numbers station on 14280 kHz. Hello all, I have received two reports of a numbers station appearing on 14280 kHz in AM mode(!) at 1000 hrs GMT on both Wednesday 2 November and Wednesday 16 November. I shall be standing by to phone Baldock [ITU monitoring station] if it appears on Wednesday 23rd and would welcome reports/action from anyone else who hears it. The reports came from John, M0ELS who also sent in a recording. I have attached it and would welcome any comments re the language or possible ID. Regards, (Chris, G4BOH Cummings, Nov 20, Intruder Alert via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) Hi everybody, if it is traffic from Russia: Russia has a Primary Allocation in the range 14250-14350 kHz for the Fixed Service. So the activity of the numbers station is certainly legal. Vy 73 de:- (Uli Bihlmayer, DJ9KR, DARC MonSys Coordinator, Nov 22, ibid.) ** RUSSIA. 14460 kHz, Golos Rossii, at 1632 UT in Russian, 2 x 7230 kHz, strong hum noted on both frequencies (Juergen Lohuis, Germany, Nov 14, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 18 via DXLD) Wonder if this a Radio Rossii Yakutsk harmonic? VOR Italian service opening procedure from Moscow transmitter will not start before approx. 1652 UT or so - wb. 18420 kHz at 1504 UT Golos Rossii, 3 x 6140 kHz 12280 kHz at 1510 UT Golos Rossii, 2 x 6140 kHz (Juergen Lohuis, Germany, Nov 15, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 18 via DXLD) HFCC has an entry registration on 6140 kHz from Moscow transmitter site northwards to Russian Far North, but til 1600 UT only (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) ** RWANDA. 6055, Radio Rwanda Kigali in French - came across now at 2030 UT Nov 18. Though hum audio signal. - but great program and DJ, enjoyed much every minute. Since IRIB Iran in Spanish ceased Sitkunai Lithuania relay, this channel has an hour window towards Rwanda at 2000-2100 (Wolfgang Büschel, Nov 18 wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 23 via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) ** SARAWAK [non]. Mercoledì 16 novembre 2011, Verso le 1030-1100, con l'R7 Drake - vecchio ma inossidabile - ho constatato che la frequenza di RADIO FREE SARAWAK da Yangi Yul (Tajikistan) è 17559.9 kHz (Luca Botto Fiora, G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** SERBIA [and non]. /BOSNIA B-11 of International Radio Serbia: 0100-0130 on 6190 BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to NoAm in Serbian Tue-Sat 0100-0200 on 6190 BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to NoAm in Serbian Sun/Mon 0130-0200 on 6190 BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to NoAm in English Tue-Sat 0200-0230 on 6190 BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to NoAm in Serbian Tue-Sat 1400-1430 on 9635 BEO 010 kW / 310/130 to WeEu in English 1430-1500 on 9635 BEO 010 kW / 310/130 to WeEu in Serbian 1500-1530 on 9635*BEO 010 kW / 310/130 to WeEu in Spanish 1530-1600 on 9635*BEO 010 kW / 310/130 to WeEu in Arabic 1600-1630 on 9635 BEO 010 kW / 310/130 to WeEu in Russian 1630-1700 on 9635^BEO 010 kW / 310/130 to WeEu in French 1700-1730 on 9635 BEO 010 kW / 310/130 to WeEu in German 1730-1745 on 9635 BEO 010 kW / 310/130 to WeEu in Chinese 1745-1800 on 9635 BEO 010 kW / 310/130 to WeEu in Albahian 1800-1815 on 9635+BEO 010 kW / 310/130 to WeEu in Hungarian 1815-1830 on 9635+BEO 010 kW / 310/130 to WeEu in Greek 1830-1900 on 9635+BEO 010 kW / 310/130 to WeEu in Italian 1900-1930 on 6100#BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu in Russian 1930-2000 on 6100#BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu in English 2000-2030 on 6100#BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu in Spanish 2030-2100 on 6100#BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu in Serbian Sun-Fri 2030-2130 on 6100#BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu in Serbian Sat 2100-2130 on 6100#BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu in German Sun-Fri 2130-2200 on 6100#BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu in French 2200-2230 on 6100#BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu in English *co-ch 1500-1600 China Radio International in English ^co-ch 1630-1700 Vatican Radio in Arabic +co-ch 1800-1900 IBRA Radio in Arabic #co-ch 1900-2230 China Radio International in Russian/Arabic/Arabic/Chinese (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, 22 Nov via DXLD) ** SEYCHELLES. 21470, BBC World Service is audible from 0800 sign-on past 1100 UT – fair reception 7 Nov (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SIKKIM. When AIR Itanagar and Aizwal are back on SW from NE India, it is the turn of AIR Gangtok to go off air! They are not heard lately on 4835. When I contacted the station official, I was informed that it is indeed off air lately but they are looking into the matter (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082, India, Nov 20, dxindia yg via DXLD) See also INDIA ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. 5019.9v, SIBC Honiara, 1144-1204* Nov 18. Island music; announcer in (presumed) English between selections, sounds like taking listener requests; music bit & W announcer at 1202 followed by NA; poor but audible when 5025-Rebelde not playing music (Scott R. Barbour Jr. Intervale, N.H. USA, NRD-545, MLB-1, 200' Beverages, 60m dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. Channel Africa, 9625 Meyerton. Nov 16, 2011, Wednesday. 0731-0735. YL interviewing French-accented OM about cancer research, especially with respect to Africa. Good. Not affected by the weak spur from Radio Sonder Grense (fundamental 9650); the spur must (presumably?) be present, because the complementary one on 9675 is there again today. Jo'burg sunrise 0311. Radio Sonder Grense, spur, 9675 Meyerton. Nov 16, 2011, Wednesday. 0735-0739. Weak spur 25 kHz (5 channels) up from 9650 fundamental of Radio Sonder Grense via Meyerton. Received on Drake and Hallicrafters. Jo'burg sunrise 0311 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15255.02, Channel Africa good in English to West Africa 0625 on 11 Nov with "Africa, Rise & Shine" program (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN. ESPAÑA: ANTONIO BUITRAGO, DE RADIO EXTERIOR, PREMIO NICOLÁS SALMERÓN DEL ATENEO DE MADRID REE - MADRID 16.11.2011 --- El redactor de Radio Exterior de España Antonio Buitrago Molina, director del Servicio de Intercambios y de los programas Amigos de la onda corta e Hispanorama, ha sido galardonado por el Ateneo de Madrid con el premio Nicolás Salmerón de Derechos Humanos en la categoría de "Defensa de la Cultura" por el trabajo desarrollado en nuestra emisora a lo largo de sus muchos años de actividad profesional. Antonio Buitrago es licenciado en Periodismo y en Imagen y Sonido por la Facultad de Ciencias de la Información de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid y redactor de plantilla de Radio Nacional de España desde 1983. Desde 1987 desarrolla su labor profesional en Radio Exterior de España, en sus emisiones en español. En todo este tiempo ha dirigido programas como Amigos de la onda corta, Hispanorama (ambos siguen en la actualidad bajo su responsabilidad) o Un idioma sin fronteras. También es el actual responsable, desde hace unos años, del Servicio de Intercambios de Radio Exterior. Toda esta labor en conjunto es la que viene a resaltar, con su premio, el Ateneo de Madrid, incluyendo la puesta en marcha recientemente de una serie de convenios por los que Radio Exterior emite boletines informativos de emisoras de radio internacionales asociadas a la nuestra. En la presente edición de los premios Nicolás Salmerón han sido galardonados también, entre otros, la presidenta de Argentina Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, el exalcalde de San Sebastián Odón Elorza; el director de cine Benito Zambrano y la escritoraDulce Chacón, o los periodistas Antonio Miguel Carmona y Manuel Arias. El premio Nicolás Salmerón de Derechos Humanos nació en 2009 en el seno de la Agrupación de Retórica y Elocuencia del Ateneo de Madrid y se concede con caracter anual en reconocimiento a aquellas personas y entidades que sobresalgan en su labor contra la injusticia y en defensa de los Derechos Humanos. Los galardones se entregarán en el Ateneo madrileño el próximo 10 de diciembre. FUENTE: http://bit.ly/u6wNqR NOTA: Enhorabuena al amigo Antonio Buitrago, (via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, DXLD) ** SPAIN. 15385, Monday Nov 21 at 1454-1455*, REE Emisión Sefarad sign-off gives schedule of three broadcasts including 0115 UT Tuesday to S America on 11795 --- but we already confirmed it this B-season recolliding with Brasil on 11780; have they really moved back to the clear frequency? Only monitoring will tell. 11780, Nov 14 at 0114, yep, REE Sephardic / Judeo-Espanhol service is here colliding equally with RNA Brasília and making a SAH with it, despite having announced 11795 for this weekly UT Tuesday broadcast at the conclusion of the first airing, Monday 1454 on 15385. They are oblivious to real band occupancy, and should stay on 11795 instead as in A-season, as long as no one else is there (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 9765, Nov 22 at 1338, REE via COSTA RICA, usual poor signal here, but in Castilian instead of Basque scheduled M-F 1330v-1355v! Soon mentioned `En Thinco Minutos`, which me know is the 5-minute standby evergreen file to fill in for missing programming, often at top of hour when domestic RNE news source is pre-empted for sports or something. Did CR lose its feed from Madrid? No, same thing a second earlier on // 17595 direct. This filler was talking about previous elexions (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. 7189.77, SLBC, 1137, local dialect (Tamil listed) talk by a man, into subcontinental vocals. Weak, only S9 on peaks, and warbly transmitter. 18 Nov (David Sharp, NSW, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SYRIA. 9330, Radio Damascus, fair to good with popular vocals 1917 on 9 Nov. At 1919 French identification like "Vouz allez ecoute Radio Damas", then news. Best on LSB to avoid the co-channel American in USB mode (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) That would be ``Vous allez écouter Radio Damas``, but more likely ``Vous êtes à l`écoute de Radio Damas`` (gh, DXLD) 9330, *1802-1815 17.11, R Damascus, Adra, German, programme review, 1803 news: Terrorist attack in Syria, the Arab Liga decision to exclude Syria in Rabat, Turkey to take strong measures against Syria, friendly support from Russia, China and Lebanon, 54454, QRM weak WBCQ in English. But this was much stronger and Syria unusable at 2100 English, Nov 16 (21121). Best 73, (Anker Petersen, in Skovlunde, Denmark, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monfeirni, playdx yg via DXLD) R Damascus off the air? Dear Glenn, 9330, R Damascus, Adra, 1800-1815, Nov 21, OFF the air the day after the rocket attack on the Baath Party Headquarters in Damascus. Only a weak WBCQ was heard with no QRM. I heard the German broadcast here on Nov 17 at *1802-1815 with a strong signal: 54454! Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Denmark, 2015 UT November 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Still on the air, this Tuesday Nov 22 at 1850 in German. Regards (JM Aubier, France, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. 9625, Nov 23 at 1425, W&M mixture of Vietnamese and Mandarin, pauses, repetitions, must be language lesson, but which way? Presumably teaching Chinese to Vietnamese, since this is the Viet service of RTI at 14-15; atop low het from always off-frequency CBCNQ, buried underneath (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN [non]. 6875, you guessed it, Nov 18 at 0651 check, RTI via WYFR is still in wrong language, German. 6875, Nov 19 at 0653 check, RTI via WYFR still in mistaken German instead of Spanish. Have any of their regular listeners in Spanish informed master control in Taipei about this? Apparently not. 6875, Nov 20 at 0624, RTI via WYFR still in wrong language, German instead of Spanish; usual excellent signal here on westward Mexican beam, but surely not so in Europe. 6875, Nov 21 at 0623, RTI via WYFR still in wrong language German, with plenty of Chinese mixed in to be translated. 6875, Nov 22 at 0659, tuned in too late to be sure RTI relay via WYFR is still in wrong language German; just a song in Chinese, then WYFR Spanish ID and off 0700. Is this programming controlled directly from Taibei, Oakland, or Okeechobee? 6875, Nov 23 at 0655, German ID from RTI relay via WYFR, contact info, still wrong language instead of scheduled Spanish (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See USA: WYFR for sort of explanation B-11 of Radio Taiwan International via TDF FRANCE: 1400-1458 on 15225 ISS 500 kW / 060 deg to RUSS in Russian 1600-1658 on 12055 ISS 500 kW / 085 deg to SEAs in English 1700-1758 on 7465 ISS 500 kW / 055 deg to RUSS in Russian 1700-1758 on 15690 ISS 500 kW / 160 deg to SoAf in English 1800-1858 on 3965 ISS 250 kW / 345 deg to U.K. in English 1900-1958 on 11875 ISS 500 kW / 190 deg to NoAf in French 2000-2058 on 3965 ISS 250 kW / 215 deg to SoEu in Spanish 2100-2158 on 3965 ISS 250 kW / 050 deg to WeEu in German *** 0200-0300 on 11995 GUF 500 kW / 195 deg to SoAm in Spanish (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, 22 Nov via DXLD) ** THAILAND. 13580.02, Radio Mashaal via Udorn very good in presumed Pashto at 0456 on 10 Nov. On the hour martial music and "Mashaal Radyo" identification. Parallel frequencies 12130.02 fair, 15760.03 fair (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET [non]. Voice of Tibet schedule: http://www1.s2.starcat.ne.jp/ndxc/vt.htm 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Among others; but non-specific frequencies 15.4-15.5 MHz (gh) 15397, Nov 18 at 1349, Chinese causing het to 15400 KTWR special transmission [see GUAM]. Must have been where jumpy V. of Tibet landed at the moment from TAJIKISTAN. Per Aoki, a more usual spot is 15433. Seems the jammers had not caught up with it; 250 kW from Guam 3 kHz away may have sufficed in Asia (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TUNISIA [and non]. 7275, Nov 20 I am monitoring exactly when RTT turns off this frequency contrary to the always-wrong HFCC registrations showing -0730*. Really cuts off at 0626:42* --- but right back on a couple sex later! For another few minutes until off for good at 0630:15*, in the meantime still // 7335 which continues. Never noticed such a post-broadcast before. Afterwards, 7275 was left with a weak carrier, no modulation detectable, suspected FRCN, Abuja, NIGERIA, which is surely overridden in its coverage area too while Tunisia is on. Is anyone hearing that with any modulation at any time? Used to be on the air mornings only. Aoki shows 0530-1200 in Hausa/vernaculars, 100 kW non-direxional. North American hams mostly avoid at night the upper 100 kHz of the 40m band they are entitled to use, because of all the broadcast QRM, but not during contests! SSB all over the place, including 7273-LSB, NN3W in Virginia calling CQ Contest with no Tunisia ACI after 0630 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. 15350 is a good spot for Turkish music from VOT until 1400, but Nov 18 at 1344 a YL is singing a slow song in English! Something about ``wishing wells --- who can tell?``. Very hard to copy due to piano accompaniment, dixion, and above all, severe selective fading distortion. 1347 brief announcement in Turkish, and another song by her in English, ``I told you. . .``; 1354 cut to Turkish music (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) TRT 15350 gets big het from 15349.1 MOROCCO: q.v. 15200, Nov 23 at 1507, poor signal in Arabic with flutter over CCI past 1530. It`s VOT Emirler, at 15-16, and the CCI is KTWR listed in English until 1525/1535 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also unID intruder earlier on 15202 ** TURKEY. Voice of Russia starts broadcasting in I.stanbul http://bit.ly/u7phOT (((Radio Kuzey))): http://www.kuzeymedya.com/ Online:(((Radio Kuzey))) http://www.kuzeyradyo.com/canli/yayin.php (Via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, DXLD) ** TURKS & CAICOS. Is 530, R. Visión Cristiana, on the air now? Haven`t seen any reports of it for a long time (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes and know. They lost their tower during hurricane Ike in Sept 08 and never replaced it. In the interim they are using a long wire about 1000 ft long supported by power poles about 30 ft off the deck. They are running 10 kW. I was in Puerto Plata, DR two weeks ago and barely a whisper, 120 miles with a saltwater path. Not too efficient. In theory they are operating. Word is they are at odds with the government concerning rebuilding their old tower on their present site and have been looking at other locations, but so far no cigar (Jerry Kiefer, Roswell NM, Nov 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE. Received a reply to my report of “Dneprovskaya Volna” ("Dnieper waves") : ``Dmitry, thanks for the good report of Ryazan. Authorized power transmitter for us 250 watt. The station uses a system of broadcasting SOPV. One transmitter sends a carrier signal of the fundamental frequency 11980 kHz, and the second transmits the audio signal in the band, mode SSB, at the same frequency band of -3.5 kHz. QSL-card necessarily will be sent to your address. Thank you again for the report, we wish You good reception and all the the best. 73! SK. Sincerely yours, Alexander`` (Dmitry Kutuzov, Ryazan, Russia / "deneb- radio-dx") The Schedule of the Radio station "Dniprovskaya wave" (B-11): Sat, Sun. 0700-0900 UT - 11980 kHz (Dmitry Kutuzov, Ryazan, Russia / "deneb-radio-dx") E-mail : radiodh @ rambler.ru At the end of the summer was changed diagram radiation pattern of antenna with 60 gr on 340 gr. Radiation of side petals antennas probably very little, and because You didn't hear. The time of work in the air is still the same from 9.00 ??11.00 in Kiev Time, in the weekend on a frequency 11980. From Moscow it is minus 2 hours. Thank you for the information and hope for new meetings in the air. With respect Alexander Shilo (Alexander Golovikhin, Togliatti, Russia / "deneb-radio-dx") via all via RusDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) ** U K [non]. 5875 // 5975, Nov 18 at 1406 BBCWS in English opening `Hardtalk` discussion, via Thailand and Singapore respectively, 5875 stronger. Nov 13 at 1455, I had found the pair were not //. 17870, Nov 22 at 1358, B-B-C- chimes, flutter, 1359:40 music and intro in language, thought I heard a `Huna` but not Arabic, instead Somali, 250 kW, 160 degrees via CYPRUS at 1400-1500. 9900, Nov 23 at 1343, fair signal with B-B-C- chimes; I keep running across BBC at odd hours like this, traditionally for offset Burmese service; is this another? Yes, 1344 opening in Burmese, HFCC shows 1345-1430, 100 kW, 340 degrees from SINGAPORE and it will add another quarter hour from 1430 on 1 December --- because of Myanmar allegedly opening up? Why don`t they even out the schedule to 1330-1430, i.e. top-of-hour to TOH in Burma (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. FANTASTIC BBC SITES PHOTOS This Was The BBC and Other Transmitter Stuff BBC Training and Transmitter Group, 1983 - Present Day http://www.flickr.com/photos/russell_w_b/collections/72157603795813465/ (via Andrea Borgnino IW0HK - HB9EMK, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) Crowborough - Site Image, sw txer building http://www.southeast-defencephotos.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=187&pos=26 (via Ian Baxter, ibid.) ** U K [non]. BBCWS STREAMS NOW UNITARY ON SIRIUS/XM Sirius/XM never seems to publicize these things -- either before or after the fact -- but after the seasonal clock adjustments, it is apparent that Sirius/XM has dropped its former practice of using the PRI feed on Sirius-subscribed radios and the Americas stream on XM- subscribed radios. It is now using the Americas stream for both the Sirius-subscribed and XM-subscribed services at channel 118. The PRI stream is now heard only on PRI member stations, either in part on public radio primary channels or in whole on some PRI secondary HD digital channels (e.g. Vermont Public Radio's VPR-HD3). The differences in the streams are not as marked as they once were, but the PRI stream still has a somewhat greater focus on hard news programming even with the obvious reduction in "feature" programming on the World Service overall. For those using wifi/internet radios, the "direct from the BBC" available streams are the UK stream, an "all-news" stream and the West and Central Africa stream. Other geographical streams can be accessed indirectly via BBC-affiliated stations around the world. Campus FM in Malta, Altid Nyheter in Norway, Raadio Tallin in Estonia are three such affiliates that carry the Europe stream at times, for example. ABC NewsRadio in Australia carries the Australasia stream at times. All the BBC stream schedules, except for the "all news" stream, are downloadable from the BBC World Service web site. The PRI stream schedule is downloadable from the PRI web site (John Figliozzi, Halfmoon, NY, Nov 17, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I exchanged correspondence with Audience Relations last week regarding the "All-News" stream, which has been restored somewhat in prominence on the WS website. I was told that the all-news stream was the same feed as the PRI feed. I have yet to do any side-by-side checks, however. One item I have confirmed is that Newshour airs at both 2000 and 2100 UT on the all-news feed (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, Internet radio discussion via DXLD) Interesting. I'm not sure that Audience Relations isn't confused about some of its own stuff. In the past, the all-news stream was not quite identical to the PRI stream, with the latter carrying a smattering of "feature" programs that the all-news stream didn't have. It may have changed, perhaps as a cost-cutting move; but it could be confusing because the differences between the two have never been all that dramatic. What tipped me off to the change at Sirius/XM was hearing Newshour at 1400 UT over WNNZ 640 in Westfield MA (which is 50 kW daytime/1 kW nighttime) about 85 miles from my QTH, but hearing Assignment on Sirius at that time when I used to hear Newshour there as well. Good news for sports fans, though. It appears that there are no longer any rights restrictions preventing the World Service broadcasts of English Premier League matches from being streamed over the internet (John Figliozzi, Halfmoon, NY, ibid.) BBCWS has been streaming Sports World since the beginning of the Premiere League Football season and perhaps a bit before that (Mr. Sandy Finlayson, Philadelphia, PA, ibid.) Yeah, but I hadn't seen that fact widely publicized. Apologies if I'm just being redundant (John Figliozzi, ibid.) I don't think I'd seen it publicized particularly, just happened across it on the BBCWS at the beginning of the football season. Sports World is one of the streaming options on Saturday and I presume Sunday, although I haven't looked for it that day (Sandy, ibid.) ** U K [non]. DISCOVERY CHANNEL WON'T SHOW GLOBAL WARMING EPISODE OF BBC'S "FROZEN PLANET" IN THE USA, SPARKING HEATED DISCUSSION. The Telegraph, 15 Nov 2011, Andy Bloxham: "The BBC has dropped a climate change episode from its wildlife series Frozen Planet to help the show sell better abroad. British viewers will see seven episodes, the last of which deals with global warming and the threat to the natural world posed by man. However, viewers in other countries, including the United States, will only see six episodes. The environmental programme has been relegated by the BBC to an 'optional extra' alongside a behind-the-scenes documentary which foreign networks can ignore. ... Viewers in the United States, where climate change sceptics are particularly strong group, will not see the full episode. Instead, the BBC said that Discovery, which shows the series in the US, had a 'scheduling issue so only had slots for six episodes', so 'elements' of the climate change episode would be incorporated into their final show, with editorial assistance from the Corporation. ... A spokesman for Greenpeace, the environmental group, said: 'It’s a bit like pressing the stop button on Titanic just as the iceberg appears.'" Columbia Journalism Review, The Observatory blog, 16 Nov 2011, Curtis Brainard: "While it is true that skepticism and apathy about climate change are problems in the US and that Republican presidential candidates have used climate change as a wedge issue, it’s hard to believe that the BBC and Discovery Channel, which have both produced mounds of climate coverage over the years, were afraid of offending skeptics. But this isn’t the first time in recent months that critics have charged that the Corporation has gone soft on climate coverage." (Posted: 23 Nov 2011, kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) Plus more re ** U S A. 15000, Nov 20 at 1515, trying to copy the poorly-enunciated and rushed WWV announcement: it`s something about GPS Constellation status broadcasts being discontinued from 2359 UT November 30; instead go to a website or pay for a phone call to a 703-AC hotline. First part about this aired in previous minute :14+. Nevertheless, the :15+ announcement ran over and had to be cut off at :15:45 in time for WWVH`s voice announcement, inaudible here at the moment (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. 15580, Nov 21 at 2145-2200, VOA Music Mix with Monday show `American Gold`, lots of great oldies, signal strong enough to believe Greenville as in previous seasons, but now listed as 100 kW, 350 degrees from BOTSWANA. Selective-fading distortion extreme, taxing one`s enjoyment of the music; maybe additional distortion in the modulation? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Greenville takes over for BONAIRE: see NETHERLANDS [non] ** U S A. `The Communicators` followed up last week`s appearance by VOA Director David Ensor, this week with Brian Conniff, President of USG`s Middle East Broadcasting Networks, 2330-2400 UT Saturday Nov 19 on C-SPAN-1. Repeat on C-SPAN-2, Monday Nov 21 at 1300, Tuesday Nov 22 at 0100 UT. Here`s the video link, found only by searching: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/302684-1 He talked a lot more about Alhurra than Radio Sawa, since TV is so much more important than radio. Strangely enough, his position and MBN are not mentioned on the C-SPAN page until you play the video (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. VOA TSCHOTSKES IN THE NEWS. Posted: 18 Nov 2011 Politico, 10 Nov 2011, M.J. Lee: President Obama "signed an executive order Wednesday to promote cut costs and Section 7, titled 'extraneous promotional items,' states that 'agencies should limit the promotional items (such as plaques, clothing and commemorative items), in particular where they are not cost-effective.' The White House called it swag. So where are the mugs, T-shirts, plaques and the like being handed out at taxpayers’ expense? ... At the Voice of America, an intern told POLITICO that the VOA has calendars and brochures, as well as T-shirts reserved for international guests. A spokesperson later confirmed this, adding, 'We are careful about what we have and to whom we give them (i.e., T- shirts to regular visitors, key chains to higher level guests).'" See also Washington Post, 11 Nov 2011, Ryan Kellett (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** U S A. VOA ENDS CROATIAN BROADCASTS Nov 23 http://www.insidevoa.com/media-relations/press-releases/VOA-Ends-Croatian-Broadcasts-------134407798.html (via Dr Hansjoerg Biener, Ivan Huziak, and gh, DXLD) VOA Ends Croatian Broadcasts http://bit.ly/sKaWyx Website: http://www.voanews.com/croatian/programs/ (Via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, DXLD) ** U S A. ENCUESTA DE VOA POR CAMBIO DE LOGOTIPO https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SpanishVOALogoSurvey 73 de (Horacio Nigro Geolkiewsky, Montevideo, Uruguay, Nov 17, condiglist yg via DXLD) Concerns color scheme only ** U S A. RFE/RL REDESIGNS ITS "ENGLISH" WEBSITE. Posted: 23 Nov 2011 Twitter, 22 Nov 2011, Luke Allnutt @lukeallnutt: "New design for RFE/RL English website. Check it out... rferl.org." Seems more English oriented -- and more orange -- than the previous design. Still an excellent source of regional (and occasionally beyond) news coverage. As a multimedia consumer of international broadcasting, my preference is that an international broadcasting website should have links to all of its languages, in the language of each service, in the top half of the home page. The user should not have to pull down a menu labeled in another language to find content in the user's language, because the user might not understand the language of the label, and thus have no idea where the menu is. RFE/RL has separate URLs for each language service website, so perhaps the thinking is that speakers of those languages will go to their respective websites and won't use rferl.org as a portal. But, I think, there are some non-anglophones who will try to use rferl.org as a gateway. (By the way, BBC World Service has restored links to language services on its home page. I grumbled about the previous design on 7 May 2011.)(Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** U S A. WOR Nov 17 -- great sig (twice!) Hi, Glenn, Just wanted to let you know that "World of Radio" provided excellent reception here in the Buffalo area yesterday (Nov 17) both at 2200 on 9479 and 2230 on 7490. Enjoy the weekend and 73 de (Anne Fanelli in Elma NY, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WORLD OF RADIO 1591 monitoring: first airings confirmed Thursday Nov 17 at 2200 on WTWW 9479, and at 2230 on WBCQ 7490. WTWW was as usual a super-signal, but with some lo-frequency rumble on the modulation (which is not on the WOR file); audio was better on WBCQ and the co-channel from BBC Thailand gradually lessened during the semihour as WBCQ strengthened and Nakhon Sawan weakened; still, 7505 e.g. remains begging for an occupant other than imaginary WRNO, with no such collision. WRMI could not be detected at 2200 on 9955 despite no jamming. Jeff White explains why: ``Glenn: We've just starting running 2300-1500 UTC weekdays, and continue 24 hours on weekends. Jeff`` ! That means all the DX programs M-F at 15-17 UT are gone from SW too. We`ll have to remove several airings of WORLD OF RADIO from the sked. WRMI remains a good 24/7 listen on webcast, also for some music shows. 0430 UT Friday confirmed on WWRB 3195, and still also weaker // 5051. Further airings on WRMI 9955: Saturday 0900, 1600, 1830, Sunday 0900, 1630, 1830; on WTWW 5755: UT Sunday 0500; on WBCQ Area 51 5110v-CUSB: UT Monday 0400. On WRN via SiriusXM 120: Sat & Sun 1830, Sun 0930. ACB Radio Mainstream webcast of WOR on UT Fridays now on even UT hours, heard at 1600 Nov 18; repeats every two hours (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF RADIO 1591 monitoring: confirmed on WTWW 5755 webcast, UT Sunday Nov 20 at 0500. Upcoming on WRMI 9955 & webcast: Sun 1830, Mon 1230. On WBCQ Area 51 5110v-CUSB & webcast: UT Monday 0400v. On WRN via SiriusXM 120 satellite & webcast: Sunday 1830. Full schedule at http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html (Glenn Hauser, DX LSITENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. 9955, WRMI, Sunday Nov 20 at 1414 with YL preacher in English, roughly equal signal level with something in Chinese making ripple-fast SAH. HFCC B-11 shows it`s KTWR GUAM in ``yue``, 1400-1430 except Saturdays, 100 kW, 285 degrees. Aoki however has KTWR B-11 on 9955 at 1400-1430 as: Hui on Sundays, M-F in Cantonese, different azimuths 305 and 315 degrees respectively. In any event, if it isn`t DentroCuban jamming, it`s other FCC-authorized SW stations QRMing WRMI (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 7490.1, WBCQ Monticello ME (presumed); 2203-2231+, 16-Nov; Lost Radio Episodes program with Amos & Andy episodes from 1940 & Glenn Miller tunes; Hair music at 2230+ after DA. SIO=4+34- with QRM de BBC via Thailand (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9330v-CUSB, Nov 18 at 1209, WBCQ is in dead air; not wake-up time yet in Monticello. By next check 1400, GFRN/2:11 has resumed. 9330-CUSB, Nov 21 at 0613, dead air again from WBCQ on S9+20 carrier with hum. I suspect this is the fault of the overconfident Rod Hembree`s Good Friends Radio Network which keeps crashing in Ontario; hey, if you are purchasing 23 hours a day at a flat rate, and want to fill some of it with dead air, that`s your privilege! Remodulating circa 1400 next check. I just wonder if the DA lasted all night. 15420, Sat Nov 19 at 1813 no signal from WBCQ which is normally on at 18-22 daily with `Global Spirit Proclamation`, the anapaestic androgynous preacher from Fence Lake NM (and Saturdays also 15-18 with Overcomer, Operation Rescue, Overcomer. It may have also been missing before 16 as I was aroundtuning). Checked again Sunday Nov 20 at 1841, 15420 has large S9+20 open carrier, which is more than usual from WBCQ, hardly reduced, and without modulation you would not realize it`s normally USB. No sign of BBC now, since in B-11 it`s not scheduled on 15420 after 1800. 15420-CUSB, Nov 20 at 2157, WBCQ with preacher, but not the A.A. (androgynous anapaest). Close-down is shown as 2200 on the WBCQ program schedule, but now stays on past 2200; at 2202 outro as ``Living Word at Aggressive Christianity``, then dead air for a biminute; 2204 music and opening Word of The Spirit. I guess both are subprograms of listed `Global Spirit Proclamation`, but http://schedule.wbcq.com/main.php?fn=show_program&id=19 says it`s `Lord of the Spirit` rather than Word; maybe. Next check at 2231, 15420 is still on but dead air again; 2236 introed by spooky banshee music, another episode of WOTS/LOTS starts; after intro by normal voice, A.A. preacher/ess from Fence Lake takes over. Next check 2259, off the air. Maybe extended an hour since got a late start past 1800 today, still open carrier at 1841 as in my earlier report. FCC allows WBCQ on 15420 any time between 12 and 23. 7490, Nov 20 at 2326 during some preacher, WBCQ again has heavy QRM from BBC Thailand co-channel, or almost, as WBCQ has again wandered off-frequency enough for a low audible het. Meanwhile, clear 7505 goes to waste, reserved for WRNO, off the air for a year (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9330-USB, 1128-1148, WBCQ, Monticello, 20/11, English, non stop pop songs, 1129'58-1131'17 OM talk with postal address of Good Friends Radio Association in Canada (P. O. Box 456, Orangeville, Ontario, L9W 5G2) and their site and e-mail addresses - mostly fair with local noise, // http://www.thestreamtv1.com/thestreamtvmodern_003.htm via IHEAR stream (Mikhail Timofeyev, DSWCI member no. 2987 http://dxcorner.narod.ru Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: Long wire (30 m), St. Petersburg, Russia, HCDX via DXLD) 15420-CUSB, Nov 21 at 2210, WBCQ is in open carrier; I had been hearing Global Spirit Proclamation still going a few minutes past 2200 as I bytuned, so suspected they would really stay on until almost 2300 like yesterday, but not today. Carrier went off a few minutes after 2210; flexible (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 7490, I am looking for WBCQ, Nov 22 at 2047, but no signal despite own program schedule showing starting at 2000 M-F with `Challenge Ministries`. Have they gone back to 7415? Some very weak signal there, surely too weak to be WBCQ, presumably CRI English via Kashgar, EAST TURKISTAN, now scheduled 20-22, 308 degrees toward Europe and USward, plus another hour southward at 23-24. 7490 WBCQ does pop on with fair signal at *2100 jingle ID, right into survivalist commercial for freeze-dried food. One of the great advantages of domestic SW is being able to turn off the transmitter when not needed, not really an option on AM or FM (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 12105, Nov 20 at 2208, WTWW-3 in Brazilian Bible readings; during a pause between chapters I can hear a low-frequency cueing tone, WTFK? This bears no resemblance to the nominal ``New schedule to start shortly: Central UTC 6-9 am Russian 1200 - 1500 9-12 Arabic 1500 - 1800 12-3pm French 1800 - 2100 3-6pm German 2100 - 0000 6-9pm Spanish 0000 - 0400 9-12 Portuguese 0400 - 0600 12-3am English 0600 - 0900 3-6am English 0900 - 1200`` at http://wtww.us/pages/program-schedule.php And Arabic is always heard from sign-on around 1400; never heard any Russian. After a brief period running all night, goes off around 0600. The earlier time for Portuguese certainly makes sense, as 04-06 UT is 02-04 am in Brasília. I haven`t checked the exact timings of the others. 9990, WTWW-2 is still working on the spur problem. Testing briefly with // 9479 PPP modulation Nov 21 at 2315, but I could still hear the spurs +/- 13, 26 and 39 kHz approximately, the furthest ones weakest and any beyond that below my local computer noise level. The closest ones are loudest circa 9977 and 10003 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 9385, Nov 20 at 0621, Brother Scare is still blathering here! WWRB is stuck on its day frequency instead of 3185, which is vacant. By this hour, 9385 signal is only poor, no match for WWCR 5890 with BS an echo behind. Next check 1350, 9385 is still on (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 12050, Nov 20 at 2209, Spanish is so distorted it`s worthy of RHC ex 12040 et al., but no, this is WEWN`s frequency and this is R. Católica Mundial as soon confirmed by content // 13830, and not // RHC frequencies. There`s continuous crackle during W&W conversation, and to make it even more fitting, the accent sounds Cuban. Recheck at 2320, it`s just as bad, awful distortion and breakup. Is no one paying attention at Vandiver to their own output? Mother Angelica needs to listen to her own SW station. Gone after 2400, so I looked for the next frequency 5810 but it had not come on several minutes past then 12050, Nov 21 at 1349, WEWN Spanish is back to normal after hours and hours yesterday of extremely distorted outofwhackiness: only defect is the usual squeal detracting from leaden-paced mass with soft organ music, rustlings (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 15825, Nov 18 at 1229, WWCR cuts off Arabic for produced super-hype ID in English, introduces SWOG (Spoken Word Of God) ``hosted`` by Alexander Scourby, i.e. KJV Bible readings (motivation for which was more political than religious). Only fair signal this early. The Arabic service is M-F 1215-1230 only, what else but `Arabic New Testament`, sorely lacking the beauty and elegance of Qur`anic recitations, let alone KJV. No wonder the Christians are a minority over there. By 1434, 15825 has built up to a huge signal, and splattering over half the 19 m band. This is during `Inspirations Across America`, black gospel music hour with mandatory overmodulation on the distorted fundamental. I can hear the splatter all the way from 15450 to 15900, i.e. as usual mostly on the lower side, why? Worst peaks are around 15560 and 15680. This atrocity was no ``Great Gettin-Up Mornin``` despite the song of the moment, Fare thee well, Fare thee well. WWCR thus continues to interfere with countless fellow shortwave broadcasters, as allegedly hot-shot chief engineer Phil Patton is either unable or unwilling to fix this long-standing defect in #1 transmitter, along with the relatively minor +/- 15.6 kHz spurs which were undetectable this time under all the splatter. 15810, 15825, 15840, Sat Nov 19 at 1425, `Musical Memories` with Martha Garvin belting her hymns and piano, with good modulation, producing nothing more than the weak spurs from WWCR-1, altho it is a rather wide signal from the central fundamental --- NOT splattering over half the 19m band as WWCR was doing 24 hours earlier. It`s almost as if these were two different transmitters. Another factor may be the quality of the program source --- as the ultimate gatekeeper before the ionosphere, any station ought to guard against terribly defective programming being put on the air which would overdrive its transmitter out of whack, if that is what happens periodically, especially during the weekday hour `Inspirations Across America`. 15490-15900, Nov 22 at 1353, as I am tuning up the 15 MHz band after nothing from LRA36, I start to hear spur spikes at 15490, must be out- of-whack WWCR-1 15825 transmitter again. Yes, increases as I go up, peaking around 15680 during preachertalk, QRMing countless other stations in this 410-kHz range, and likely to be even worse after 1400 with black gospel music over-modulation (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See USA WJHR log 15550-USB, Nov 22 at 1405, WJHR`s only preacher suffering from WWCR splatter spikes all the way from 15825 transmitter; Christians vs Christians! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15400-15990, Nov 23 at 1402, spur spikes from overdriven WWCR-1 15825, first noted in 15940-15990 range with clip from Mitt (not his first name) on slanted newscast; then found mostly 15400-15900, peaking circa 15675; worst during following hour of black gospel music, interfering with countless other SW stations. At 1533, could still hear the spikes during relatively calm preachertalk, from +15520 to 15900+ peaking around 15680 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 6890, WYFR Family Radio, Okeechobee FL; 0127-0131+, 17-Nov; English huxterage from Bill Sadler; FR spot at 0129 -- said that the Bible is "trustworthy" -- failed to mention that FR's interpretations may not be trustworthy. 0130 Searching the Scriptures. SIO-554 (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) On Nov 16, Peter W Hansen in NY reported monitoring WYFR on all its frequencies between 22 and 05 as in English, whatever the originally scheduled language for B-11. I`m not about to duplicate that effort, but it seems to be so: Nov 20 at 2207-2213, not only are 12160, 11580 and 9690 all in English as I bandscan by them, but they are back with Harold Camping`s Bible studies. Sounds like an elder voice, rather hoarse, but not his eldest, as heard until R-day. These were supposed to be in Spanish, Spanish and Portuguese, respectively. We can only wonder what has happened. Maybe there is a huge power struggle behind the scenes --- Foreign-language announcers quit or fired, and HC or his ilk again ascendant? (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Dan, It seems that most (all?) of the WYFR frequencies have been in English lately, instead of Spanish, Portuguese, etc. Could you fill us in on what`s going on, so we can put together an accurate current schedule of languages? Have the other languages been canceled, temporarily, or permanently? We`ve also been hearing RTI in German consistently at 06-07 on 6875, instead of scheduled Spanish (on the 285 antenna, not 45). Would this be controlled from Taipei, Oakland or Okeechobee? Also, Chinese instead of English at 05-06, and some other inconsistencies in their schedule. Tnx, (Glenn to Dan Elyea, WYFR, via DXLD) Dear Glenn, The answer to all your questions is that our entire program automation system is out of service --- a meltdown. The only feeds available for transmission at any given time are those coming in on the program feed channels. This is not a planned change of schedule. When repairs are finally made (still several days away), all those schedules will run as they were published at the beginning of the season. The deviation from schedule is all a result of the loss of our system. Only real time feeds are possible at present. 73, (Dan Elyea (WYFR Okeechobee), Nov 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I still don`t understand why RTI would be feeding German at 0600, for which no relays are scheduled anywhere (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See TAIWAN [non] ** U S A [non]. CHILE, B-11 for Voz Crista / La Voz via SGO=Santiago: [sic: nothing in Portuguese, so kill Portuguese name! SS `CVC La Voz`] Spanish to Brasil 1800-2000 on 17860 SGO 015 kW / 045 deg DRM Spanish to Northern South America 1100-0100 on 17680 SGO 050 kW / 000 deg Spanish to Southern South America 1100-0100 on 9635 SGO 050 kW / 030 deg (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, 22 Nov via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. Frequency change of Adventist World Radio in Oromo/Amharic: 0300-0400 NF 9610 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf, ex 7370 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, 22 Nov via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. 7295, Nov 18 at 1401, K0IEI contacting unheard KO0E, ``with a little music in the background`` discussing his eary medical issues. Some hams are gluttons for punishment. Exactly atop strong AM signal, but no SAH, so I assume the ham was in SSB. Scheduled 13-15 on 7295 is VOA Chinese via Novosibirsk, so what we were hearing would have been the ChiCom jamming, CNR1. QRZ.com shows K0IEI as: JAMES C BENNETT, 87 STONEYKIRK DR, BELLA VISTA, AR 72715 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. New LowFER beacon "BR" on 185.585 kHz CW, 186.000 kHz USB voice For you longwave DXers on the list, I've just fired up a new LowFER Beacon "BR" at 185.585 kHz (audible at 186 kHz with a 415 Hz CW sidetone and voice IDs). It will operate 24 hours a day with a format of 1 minute of CW, followed by one minute of alternating voice and CW, using USB mode. Transmitter is located in Buras, LA in Grid Square EL59hh. Antenna is a full 50-foot vertical tower with three 22-foot capacitance-hat downslope wires on the topmost guy lines. Loading coil is a 15" PVC form wrapped with 86 tuns of #16 stranded copper wire and an inner 10" variometer coil of 10 turns. Transmitter is a Curry Communications EXP-1750 Beacon Transceiver Kit. Two 8-foot ground rods connect the whole thing to earth (and the Gulf of Mexico) - I'm at one foot elevation. If a user's radio is tuned to 186.000 kHz with BFO zero-beat, the beacon's format will sound as follows: Minute #1 starts with a 5-tone chime, then 16 IDs of "BR" in CW (415 Hz sidetone), followed by a 5-second dash at the end of the minute. Minute #2 starts with a 5-tone chime, then six alternations of a female voice ID saying "This is radiobeacon B R Buras, Louisiana U.S.A." followed by one CW ID of BR (415 Hz sidetone). These two 60- second cycles are alternated continuously, and timed to the millisecond, so you can follow them accurately using spectrograms or a stopwatch over many hours. Less than 2 hours after starting it up last night, a reception report already came in from Elgin, IL 800 miles to the north (Darwin Long, Buras, LA, Nov 20, ABDX via DXLD) He does not mention the power (gh) Sounds like I need a communications receiver more than a short wave radio receiver to hear all of this. Maybe I might hear it with my antenna set up using my G5, but I cannot tune 185.585 kHz, but I can tune 186 kHz using a BFO. My G3 would work right, but it needs a bigger boost in the 150 kHz to 300 kHz range with a good antenna (Adam Ebel, Virginia Beach, Virginia, ibid.) Actually, that's the best way to listen for the beacon with a 1 kHz step tuned radio. The easiest way to hear the beacon is to first make sure your radio's BFO is zero-beat to some readily-receivable station (another NDB, an AM radio station, WWV, etc.). Then, with your BFO now centered, retune your radio's frequency to 186 kHz, and you would be able to hear the signal correctly. I use a good 'ole DX440 modified to have the internal loop antenna switched on or off, and can use an external loop or a tuned whip for very weak-signal longwave DXing. The frequency 185.585 kHz is the center frequency of the CW portion of the signal because I am using a 415 Hz sidetone on the lower sideband of 186 kHz (186.000 - 0.415 = 185.585 kHz). The voice ID is centered at 186 kHz and the CW will sound like a 415 Hz tone. With a very good antenna in a very electrically-quiet area, you should have a shot at the signal from your location - it's been heard in Connecticut last winter when on a much shorter 30-foot tower, and I'm getting about 40% more signal with a 50-foot tower. Daytime groundwave is roughly most of the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding coastline, and about 350 miles inland. I might have to temporarily shut the beacon off and ground the antenna late tonight because of approaching thunderstorms, and my tower is now the highest thing around for a mile (Darwin Long, Buras, LA, ibid.) ** U S A. KEWI 690 BENTON AR PROVIDES AIRTIME TO WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH TO PREVENT FUNERAL PROTEST Following the death of a University of Arkansas football player Garrett Uekman, there were reports that the hate group, the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka KS would protest at his funeral. Sadly, a radio station in Central Arkansas KEWI has according to their website offered to give the hate group airtime in order to prevent a funeral protest. I consider it appeasement to a hate group. Here is the link to the KEWI 690 website statement concerning this. http://www.saline247.com/2011/11/22/kewi-statement-regarding-westboro-baptist-church-broadcast/ (Fritze H Prentice Jr, KC5KBV, Nov 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, this is related to a story I sent you last night, TV station KLRT ("Fox 16") Little Rock AR reported on KEWI giving airtime to avert a protest by the WBC http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Radio-station-gives-time-to-Westboro-to-avoid/eR53p9W4uECGroLFUbyjig.cspx (Fritze H Prentice Jr, KC5KBV, Star City, AR, Nov 23, ibid.) ** U S A. The 1510 HET --- Those of us in the Midwest have been aware of the long-time het on 1510 caused by an off-frequency station. Last night I was decoding the band on my Perseus and listening to clear audio and the het. It disappeared at exactly 01:45 Coordinated Universal Time, on the aircheck I had made this summer. Checking with the FCC for Sunset times, there was only one 1510 station that switched at 1:45. That's KCTE Independence Missouri. That recording was made mid-summer. Wonder if they're still off-frequency? Regards, (Mark Durenberger, 7 Nov, IRCA via DXLD) I recently mentioned that I was no longer hearing a het on 1600, so apparently the off-frequency station, KMDO in Fort Scott KS, had fixed it --- no, there it is again, beating against KUSH/KRVA at 2113 UT Nov 18 on the caradio, and another one like it on 1510; as I toggled back and forth between the two on memory presets, (once known as push- buttons), the 1600 pitch matched exactly to my ear the het on 1510 caused by off-frequency KCTE Independence MO/Kansas City, which others have measured on 1510.83. I wonder if they are using same kind of transmitter subject to this peculiarity, as it`s quite a coincidence for both to be off by the precisely the same amount. KMDO is in SE Kansas, just one myriameter from the MO border west of Nevada (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Washington's "FM News 99.1" will take the WNEW call letters MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2011 --- CBS Radio plans to take the legendary call letters from their urban AC station in West Palm Beach, Florida and move them north to Washington, DC. They will be used in D.C./Baltimore, when the CBS all-news format debuts on 99.1 early next year. WNEW-FM were the the call letters used for decades on 102.7FM in New York City when it was a rock station. CBS Radio is moving the WLZL Spanish contemporary format and call letters from Bowie, MD- licensed 99.1 to the Annapolis-licensed 107.9 that it's buying from Family Radio. That station has long been known as WFSI, carrying Family Radio's non-commercial religious programming. http://www.radio-info.com/news/washingtons-fm-news-991-will-take-the-wnew-call-letters (via Kevin Redding, Nov 21, ABDX via DXLD) WNEW was originally 1130 in NYC; should have mentioned that! They must have parked it in FL for just such an occasion (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** U S A. PIRATE FINES ARE OFTEN TOUGH TO COLLECT by Randy J. Stine on 11.17.2011 WASHINGTON — While the FCC Enforcement Bureau tally of fines against “pirate” operators has grown steadily this year, it is hard to know how many of those fines will ever be collected. In fact, broadcast industry people familiar with commission practices believe the FCC likely fails to collect a majority of pirate fines. Once the commission starts to go after an alleged illegal operator, things get complicated. It’s not easy to collect money from what often turn out to be fly-by-night operations. And in tight economic times, when federal agencies face budget constraints, authorities must decide how far to go to collect a relative pittance. . . http://www.rwonline.com/article/pirate-fines-are-often-tough-to-collect/24837 (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** VATICAN. Mercoledì 16 novembre 2011, 0803 - 6075 kHz, RADIO VATICANA 105 LIVE - S. Maria di Galeria, Italiano, nxs InBlu, traffico e pubblicità!!! Segnale buono (Luca Botto Fiora, G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) 7249.89, Vatican Radio's 10 kW transmitter inside the city state noted in French 0543 on 10 Nov, English from 0600 - poor to fair (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Vatican Radio B11 Frequency Changes --- Vatican Radio introduces new frequencies for their morning b'cast to South Asia : w.e.f. 20-11-11 0025-0040 UT Urdu (Monday and Thursday) 5890 kHz TAC 7410 kHz SMG (ex 5895 TAC, 7335 SMG) 0040-0200 UT Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, English 7410 kHz TAC 5890 kHz SMG (ex 5895 TAC, 7335 SMG) http://dxasia-uadx.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-freq-from-vatican-radio.html (Alok Dasgupta, Kolkata, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VATICAN STATE [and non]. Some changes of Vatican Radio: Urdu Mon/Thu 0025-0040 NF 5890 TAC 100 kW / 186 deg to SoAs, ex 5895 0025-0040 NF 7410 SMG 500 kW / 085 deg to SoAs, ex 7335 Hindi/Tamil/Malayalam/English 0040-0200 NF 5890 TAC 100 kW / 186 deg to SoAs, ex 5895 0040-0200 NF 7410 TAC 100 kW / 131 deg to SoAs, ex 7335 English in DRM, Sat till 1600 1530-1550 NF 15190 SMG 125 kW / 090 deg to SoAs, ex 15180 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, 22 Nov via DXLD) 15185-15190-15195, Nov 23 at 1530 DRM from VR to India, ex-15175- 15180-15185 where I first reported them earlier this month. Must have reached same conclusion as I did that they had to get away from Indian AM on 15175. Victor Goonetilleke in Sri Lanka sent us some comments on DRM, including that despite 30 over 9 signal from 15190, no audio was coming thru (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) VATICAN RADIO INTRODUCES NEWS DRM BROADCAST TOWARDS INDIA Starting with the new winter season effective 30th Oct, 2011 Vatican Radio has introduced new DRM broadcast beamed to India on 15190 kHz at 1530-1550 UT, Sunday-Friday, in English; the same broadcast on Saturdays is 1530-1600 and it carries the Mass in English. Vatican Radio started this DRM service to promote this standard in India considering the plan undertaken by the Indian Government to switch to digital (Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, Nov 23, dx_sasia yg via DXLD) [and non]. 12000, Nov 18 at 1200, I think I hear R. Bulgaria`s theme music, and it is an even -00 frequency they could use, but not scheduled this season. Then at 1210 check programming in Chinese, mixed with noise, QRDRM. Aoki and HFCC show what this collision must really be: V. of Vietnam in Chinese, 27 degrees USward from Hanoi VN1 site; and V. of Russia English+Russian in DRM, 40 kW, 195 degrees from Novosibirsk (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9920, Nov 18 at 1205, siren jamming on Vietnamesish minolity language, listed as Tai Dam, Fridays at 1200-1230 from FEBC PHILIPPINES, among many other obscure tonguespeakers ripe for conversion from Communism to Christianity; beware! beware! say the sirens (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nov 22 at 1150 past 1210, I detect USB only jamming on 9920. The LSB is in the clear. Is it possible this is unknown to the jammers? (Leonard J. Rooney, Delaware County, Springfield PA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. DAI TIENG NOI VIET NAM. Voice of Vietnam - Domestic and External services - B-11 schedule. [c.f. full schedule BC-DX #1040] 5035 0430-0600 49 CK2 15 n-d Hmong VTN VOV VOV 5035 1130-1330 49 CK2 15 n-d Hmong VTN VOV VOV 5035 2145-2300 49 CK2 15 n-d Hmong VTN VOV VOV 5035 is a wooden entry, not heard anymore since approx. 2006y last. (Wolfgang Büschel, Nov 11, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 18 via DXLD) ** YEMEN. 6135.06, Radio San'a, 1406, was only a het 30-min prior, now rising up with news by a man but still competing with Madagascar. 19 Nov (David Sharp, NSW, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) You might like to hear Yemen in English just now, but 9780, which included English at 18-19 has been missing for a long time now (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZAMBIA. CVC, 17695, One Africa, Lusaka noted opening at 0600 UT 16 Nov with lively English program. Also audible between 1830 and 2000 closedown. Reception varies from day to day, usually fair, sometimes good (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai New Zealand - AOR7030+ with EWES aimed at North, Central & South America, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) B-11 of CVC International via LUS=Lusaka: English to West Africa and Nigeria 0600-2000 on 17695 LUS 100 kW / 315 deg 2000-2200 on 13590 LUS 100 kW / 315 deg B-11 for Christian Voice via LUS=Lusaka: English to South and Central Africa 0500-1700 on 6065 LUS 100 kW / 000 deg 1700-0500 on 4965 LUS 100 kW / 000 deg (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, 22 Nov via DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. ZNBC2, 6165 Lusaka. Nov 18, 2011, Friday. 0229-0306. Carrier on at 0229, with 1 kHz sine wave modulation. Sine wave replaced by fish eagle i/s at 0240, anthem at 0250, YL reading ID "Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation" at 0251, followed by the date, morning greetings and programme summary for the next few hours. Frequency announcements and "ZNBC2", followed by Afro music, a song by a YL called "Christine Fisher"? At 0300 YL says "it is oh 5 hours, and time to listen to Daybreak Africa", then straight over to relay of VOA, exactly in sync with 909 and 4930 via Botswana. Fair - good. After 0300, the VOA relay on ZNBC2 6165 is much better than on 909 but not as good as 4930, both via Botswana. Jo'burg sunrise 0310 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also UNIDENTIFIED 6165 UNIDENTIFIED. 5580.2, Nov 21 at 2332 I detect a weak carrier vs the high local noise level (besides that, worse below 6 MHz, I never get much in the middle of the 5 MHz band --- antenna must not resonate there.) 23 hours earlier, Bob Wilkner, S Florida reported tentatively, R. San José (de Chiquitos), BOLIVIA [q.v.] 5580.17 at 0020 Nov 20 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 5875 approx., Nov 18 at 1154, very strong signal of frequency-shifting pulses, making chirps with BFO on. Fortunately, BBC from Thailand toward W NAm does not start until 1200 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 6165, Country? Station? Location? Nov 18, 2011, Friday. 0201-0246. Dammit, tuned in just in time to miss the TOH ID, if there was one. Afro music, better described as mainly but not exclusively "Horn of Africa" at least for the first ten minutes or so. Aoki lists ZNBC2 in English from 0200, but this is not English and sounds quite un-Zambia. There is also co-channel QRM in Spanish, no doubt the listed Radio Netherlands via Bonaire. At 0229 both were suddenly squashed by a new, strong, carrier with 1 kHz sine wave modulation. Now that`s more like ZNBC2 warming up. Yes, at 0240 the sine wave is replaced by Zambia's fish eagles, one of the most beautiful and haunting sounds when heard live in the bush. I can still hear the mystery signal in the background, but now JBA. I hope it isn't another intermodulation product! Aoki lists nothing from Meyerton at this time. Fair, until stomped upon by ZNBC2. Jo'burg sunrise 0310. Note added later, Nov 20: I note in dxld 11-46 that because of damage by rats, the Spanish QRM was unlikely to be from RNW via Bonaire, but more likely from RNW via Greenville. Maybe that's why I was receiving the QRM; I have never noticed RNW before on 6165. Perhaps that frequency doesn't easily make it to SA from Bonaire. No doubt the change to a southerly directed transmission from Greenville helped as well! Although I must admit I don't regularly DX at 0200 (4 am local here!), my usual starting time is around 0245. Regards, (Bill Bingham, RSA, Nov 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CHAD, 6165, We listen usually to RNT N'Djamena here in Europe, mornings and evening/nighttime. Mostly in French and Vernaculars to Sahel Zone of Africa. Schedule 0425-0730 UT (Sat/Sun -1030 UT). 1030-2230 UT (Sat/Sun -2300 UT). vy73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) As I also suggested, but Chad would have had to be on the air much earlier than usual, or all-night for some reason, at 0200 (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Que es esto? Ahora 2210 UT en 7214.50 kHz AM una emisión de mùsica con muy buena señal, SINPO 45444 (Ernesto Paulero, Argentina, 2213 UT Nov 22, condiglist yg via DXLD) Me parece que es una señal cercana, es música continua, muy buena por cierto, 7214.53 KHz AM la mejor señal (Paulero, 2218 UT, ibid.) SW Pirate in 7214 kHz? Hi Glenn, Today, around 2230-2240 UT I could catch a musical programme, mostly Shakira songs, with no identification, around 7215, but better in 7214. The frequency was a little disturbed because it was between two strong Chinese emissions coming here in Brazil - CRI Cerrik in 7210 and Kunming in 7220 (I believe, according to AOKI) - bringing a lot of noise in the frequency. Around 2242 UT, playing a Credence's song, the signal disappeared and didn`t return. There's no reference in AOKI b11 on this emission (time x freq), only a CNR1 Shijiazhuang, but I'm definitely convinced this one was not Chinese. Have you got any idea? Pirate?? Thank you very much and 73 (Fabrício Andrade Silva, Sony ICF sw 7600 GR, Tubarão, Brazil, 0056 UT Nov 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Fabrício, No, that`s news to me. North American pirates are usually around 6925-6955, not in the ham band. The Voice of Russia, Spanish transmitter in Moscow on 7210 has been acting up lately with distorted signal somewhat on the hi side, but not up to 7214, and not starting until 0000. Let me know if you hear it again or have any further clues (Glenn to Fabricio, ibid.) Hi Glenn, I monitored 7214 yesterday Nov 23, but nothing was heard, except some noises of Chinese programs in neighbouring freqs. I'll keep monitoring this freq. I was just wondering if it was a ham operator illegally airing music that day. 73 from (Brazil, Fabrício A. Silva, Tubarão - SC, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 7275, re previous report, I have realized that another possibility for the open carrier I was getting at 0731 Nov 17 was: FRCN Abuja, NIGERIA. Would stations please modulate, thank you (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 11532.0, Nov 23 at 0648, open carrier vs het from 11530, presumably V. of Mesopotamia; probably Cuban spy transmitter previously heard late-nites with occasional data bursts on this and other strong carriers near the broadcast bands (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 15182-USB, Nov 19 at 1607, intruder 2-way in colloquial Spanish (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 15202-SSB, probably USB, Nov 23 at 1406, intruders in colloquial Spanish, one station much stronger than the other, only understood one word, ``camarones``, so poachers gabbing about their catches? Fortunately, nothing much to bother in this part of the broadcast band tho a very weak carrier on 15200 where nothing is listed in HFCC or Aoki this hour, unlike after 1500; See TURKEY (Glenn Hauser, OK DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 15498, Nov 21 before and after 2200, big noise with regular pulses, maybe some kind of fax centered here. Since it`s in the 19m SWBC band, I first suspected some BC station far out of whack. Unlikely to be jamming tho would certainly serve the purpose. Have not heard this at other dayparts (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 15580, Nov 20 at 1432, big open carrier with some hum, still there a few minutes later. Probably Greenville testing prior to the only time it`s currently scheduled here at 1700-1730; but blotting out any sign of VOA English scheduled via South Africa at 14-15 on 15580 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) collision with VOA 13750: see CUBA [and non] UNIDENTIFIED. 15700, 22/11 2218, parece ser em alemão. A momentos de melhora considerável. Até as 2218 sofria moderada QRM não identificada. É uma entrevista em um local público onde se ouve outras vozes ao fundo. As 2222 curto trecho de música. As 2226 OM fala, talvez ID, apesar de claro eu não entendi e logo após um hino nacional. Saiu do ar as 2227. 24332 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana Bahia 12 14´S 38 58´W, Brasil, Degen 1103 - All listening in mode of filter Narrow the 6 kHz. Escutas (listening, my blog): condiglist yg via DXLD) Nothing listed on 15700 at this time in HFCC or Aoki (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 17000, Nov 21 at 1417, 2-way SSB in colloquial Spanish, no need for BFO as the FRG-7 even-MHz birdie takes care of that. Amid marine band, maybe legit transmitters rather than poachers, but sounds just like them when intruding into broadcast bands, and never any sort of IDs heard (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Nothing to be thankful for in the way of direct financial support this week, but I would like to express gratitude to two guys who have helped a lot behind the scenes with web bandwidth and internet services, Franklin Seiberling and Dave White (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ B11 Aoki text file Aoki uploaded a text file just some time ago. http://www1.m2.mediacat.ne.jp/binews/bib11.txt (NDXC-HQ S. Hasegawa, Nov 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) This is the big one for convenient online reference, updated almost every day. Just watch out for undeleted outdated info concerning non- HFCC stations, especially domestic SW (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) MORSE CODE KNITTING If you love Morse code, don't miss this unusual video in which Kristen Haring talks about knitting in Morse code patterns. She wrote a book a few years back called "Ham Radio's Technical Culture" which many radio amateurs hated, but I found unusual and quite interesting. Thanks to W0PV for the tip: http://www.youtube.com/user/OHSTcolloquia#p/a/u/1/hoiuYw5pVQ4 (QST de W1AW. Propagation Forecast Bulletin 46 ARLP046, From Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, WA November 18, 2011, To all radio amateurs, via VA3RJ, ODXA yg via DXLD) METHOD FOR SEARCHING DXLD ARCHIVES I had been struggling to find a way to search the DXLD archives, until I found a way using a Google search. Yes, results are only as good as Google's database, which is not exactly complete. But at least it is considerably better than nothing. I have set the search up at http://worldofradio.net I leave it up to Glenn to control the content of that site (Franklin Seiberling, KC0ISV, IA, Nov 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ MEDIA NETWORK PANEL AT RADIO DAY 2011 Audio, photographs and video from the 2011 Amsterdam Radio Day are now online. One of the panels was The Story of Radio Netherlands' Media Network with Jonathan Marks and Andy Sennitt. There are separate audio files for each panel/presentation. http://radioday.nl/2011/index.htm (Mike Barraclough, England, Nov 18, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) READING INTERNATIONAL RADIO GROUP The next meeting of the Reading International Radio Group will be on Saturday November 26 in Room 3, Reading International Solidarity Centre, 35-39 London Street, Reading at 2.30 p.m. The meeting will include a report on the Amsterdam Radio Day, which had panels on Media Network, early offshore forts stations and Radio London 266, history and future of longwave broadcasting, including a look at the 1970's proposed American longwave Public Emergency System, and also CONELRAD that used mediumwave, as well as other current and historical radio related items and audio extracts. All are welcome. For more information email me or phone 01462 643899 (Mike Barraclough, England, Nov 20, worlddxclub yg via DXLD) INVITACION --- “II ENCUENTRO DIEXISTA COLOMBO-VENEZOLANO EDXCV-2012” San Cristóbal, Estado Táchira, Venezuela 6, 7 y 8 de Enero de 2012 Saludos Cordiales Colegas Radioescuchas y Diexistas del Mundo !!! Gracias por ser asiduos lectores de los 10 blogs del Club Diexistas de la Amistad y por ende oyentes de DX RADIO , la primera emisora diexista en línea cuyo audio es alojado en dichos blogs informativos y que se transmiten - sábados y domingos - música, información, y programas alusivos exclusivamente a nuestra afición del Diexismo. Estamos ya en la cuenta regresiva - a 46 días - de la realización del “II ENCUENTRO DIEXISTA VENEZOLANO 2012” en la ciudad de la cordialidad San Cristóbal Estado Táchira, Venezuela; al cual auguramos desde ya la mayor asistencia de colegas que comparten la afición del Diexismo en ambas naciones. . . http://edxcv.blogspot.com/ (Santiago San Gil, DX LISTENING DIGEST) LANGUAGE LESSONS also see EAST TURKISTAN; GUAM ++++++++++++++++ SWAHILI (NOT) RE: DXLD11-46: ``ZIMBABWE [non]. 9345, V of People > ZWE, 15 Nov 1605+1615 with talks in VN (Swahili) and many mentions of ZWE, S5 (Zacharias Liangas, Thessaloniki, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` With due respect to Zacharias, I think this was unlikely to have been Swahili. Swahili is not a national language in Zim, in fact it is very much a minority language. So far as I am aware, Voice of the People only uses English, Ndebele and Shona, mainly the latter if my own listening is anything to go by. This probably reflects the distribution of the speakers; Ndebele is spoken by about 18% of Zimbabweans, whereas Shona is spoken by about 76%. Recognising English seems to be no problem for most people, but some will have difficulty separating Ndebele and Shona, which tend to be lumped together in the published schedules. The easiest way to differentiate the two is to remember that Ndebele is one of the so-called "click" languages; it is spoken in Matabeleland (W. and S.W. Zim), N.E. Botswana, and in various sub- dialects throughout the north of South Africa, even in isolated pockets as far south as Jo'burg and Pretoria. Shona is spoken in central and E. Zim., in Zambia, parts of Mozambique and South Africa. Generally speaking, when listening to the Zim stations or others targetted towards Zim, any language with impossible-sounding clicks (many Europeans do find them quite impossible to do) will be Ndebele. The softer language spoken without clicks will be Shona. Having said that, I sometimes struggle when reception is poor and noisy, but at least it gives a starting-point. Regards, (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Swahili has a number of markers if you listen to it for a while. If one really wants to study the difference between Shona and Ndebele, listen to the VOA`s Studio 7 service, which has a somewhat confusing but apparently regular rotation of languages: In the A11 season as given in the WRTH May update, the transmission on Mon-Fri is at 1700-1900 Monday-Thursday: 1700—1730 Shona, 1730-1800 English, 1800-1900 Ndebele Friday is different: 1700-1730 Shona, 1730-1800 Ndebele, 1800-1830 all 3 mixed, 1830-1900 Ndebele on 12 MHz, all 3 mixed continue on 15 MHz Saturday/Sunday: 1700-1720 Shona, 1720-1740 English, 1740-1800 Ndebele As in 11-43, the B-11 frequencies are: 1700-1800 909 4930 12080 15775 1800-1900 909 12080 15775 Mon-Fri HFCC B-11 site usage as of 18 Nov was: 12080 1700 1800 53,57N MDC 250 265 0 216 1234567 Shon/Ndeb/ MDG IBB 12080 1800 1900 53,57N SAO 100 126 -12 156 23456 Shon/Ndeb/ STP IBB 15775 1700 1800 53,57N SAO 100 126 -12 156 1234567 Shon/Ndeb/ STP IBB 15775 1800 1900 53,57N SAO 100 124 24 216 23456 Shon/Ndeb/ STP IBB (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM See also ARMENIA; AUSTRALIA; BRAZIL; ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ COSTA RICA; CUBA; GUAM; INDIA; KUWAIT; LIBYA; RUSSIA; USA; VATICAN; VIETNAM SOME DRM THOUGHTS In the last few days I have been listening, or trying to listen to DRM. I did listen to DRM about 10/12 years ago with a modified Sony ICF 2010 and gave up as a useless exercise. Imagine wires jutting out, cranking up the computer and all that. Since getting a Perseus SDR and all it needed was to add the software "Dream" to it, thanks to help from my good friends and fellow DXers Vlad and Mauno I have been listening for the last 3 days. Here are my observations. 1. Major problem: It needs a signal in excess of 59+10 db for constant audio and even 59+5 is not enough as the audio keeps dropping off. Of course you can get the text identification!!! so could DX text if you are only interested in logging a station!!! 2. Vatican to South Asia 15190 [ex-15180 due to INDIA analog on 15175 --- gh] 1530-1550(Sun 1600) was 59+30 and holding steady, but no audio came through. BBC to South East Asia (maybe including South Asia) was 59+30 but gave a blip of audio every 5 minutes or so. I need to use my log periodic Cushcraft AL 2010 on 19 metres to get DRM consistently. I do receive Russia at 59+10. The best so far was 12115 kHz DiscoPalace giving audio at 59+05, and at 59 with some dropouts. For reference to my S-metre readings: BBC or VOA is very listenable at S=3. I rarely use my log periodic for my listening so signals are usually 59+5-15 on the best signals. And so with all the hype about DRM I have just one or two stations I can listen to on any given day throwing the best I have in antennas. I listen on my Perseus quite a lot for my monitoring for frequency measurement, and DXing --- no, no, not overnight recorded DX --- and put my Perseus on line whenever there is no thunderstorm. So for me to check DRM is very easy as all I need to do is hit the DRM button on the Perseus, but until such time as DRM for International broadcasting comes to the level where in our SIO an S=3 signal can deliver a listenable signal, I might not even hit that DRM button on my set unless some station engineer makes a please to help. If DRM can give new life to International broadcasting I would be one of the happiest people around and I sincerely hope it can deliver the goods. Regards, Victor (G. Victor A. Goonetilleke 4S7VK, "Shangri-la"' 298 Madapatha Road, Piliyandala. Sri Lanka. E-mail: victorg @ slt.lk victor.goonetilleke @ gmail.com Skype: victorgoonetilleke +941 12614098 Mob: +94 718328336 Nov 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I guess he means S9+ instead of 59 (gh) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ PLT RADIO INTERFERENCE IN THE UK Southgate November 17, 2011 Like many radio amateurs across the country, Dave M0TAZ has had his radio reception ruined by interference from polluting PLT devices. He writes: Last week I decided to report the PLT problem I experience at home. I found that in the main the amateur bands are notched but the interference, although lower, is still present. When I use / monitor the 5 MHz allocation the interference is severe. If I turn my radio to AM and select 5 MHz, turning the dial produces the usual PLT hum over the entire HF spectrum with a dip in the amateur allocated bands. It took me ages to work out what form I needed to complete on the ofcom website; and you have to agree to pay £90 /h should the engineer attend and the issue is found to be inside your house. I don't have PLT so thats not an issue...so I logged the problem on their website at https://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/abuse-amateur-radio-system To my surprise about an hour or so later I had a call asking me for further details, and then a further e-mail asking me to agree to pay the £90 /h should the problem be with my own equipment. A day or so later a engineer from OFCOM called me and fixed up an appointment. He connected up his own receiver to my HF antenna, and agreed it was PLT. He suggested from the signal it was not likely to be a direct neighbour but could be some distance away; the DF hunt then commenced. About 30 minutes later he returned, saying he had found the suspected house and he would return the details to the office to check if this was a BT customer. If it was BT then in around 80% of the cases this can be resolved (although it takes months) but if it turned out to be a "personal purchase" or any other system that is as far as OFCOM would take it. So at the moment I have no idea if its a BT customer, nor if it can be resolved; but I would leave you with one thought 1.8 Million PLT devices estimated to be in the UK, OFCOM have investigated less than 300 complaints. Dave has produced this short video of the PLT interference to assist you in identifying it: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/november2011/plt_radio_interference.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AmateurRadioNews+%28Southgate+Amateur+Radio+News%29 Submit reports of PLT interference to the Amateur bands at https://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/abuse-amateur-radio-system Submit report of PLT interfence to the short wave broadcast bands at https://faq.external.bbc.co.uk/templates/bbcfaqs/emailstatic/interferencePage Ofcom suppress report critical of PLT http://www.ban-plt.co.uk/truth-lies.php Ban PLT http://www.ban-plt.co.uk/ (via Mike Terry, Nov 18, dxldyg via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ THE AM BAND IS FULL OF NOISE AND IT'S GETTING WORSE. NAB will soon be looking into possible remedies: http://tinyurl.com/AM-Noise-Remedies (CGC Communicator Nov 22 via Kevin Redding, ABDX yg via DXLD) Continued from 11-46: RADIO WORLD: HARRIS TESTS MODULATION-DEPENDENT CARRIER LEVEL AT WOR The verdict - seem to be coming in here just fine. Almost seems better that usual, but then 710 is not one of my regular stops on the dial (Phil Rafuse, VY2PR, PEI, Nov 17, ABDX via DXLD) At least Tom Ray is not involved in something destructive this time like HD. If the signal is the same and it uses less power, then it`s all good (Kevin Redding, Crump, TN, Nov 18, ibid.) Agreed, Kevin - this is all about saving electricity, a very significant matter for a 50 kW station - hey, even for a 1 kWer in these times. Assuming they were running this mode last night, I think Tom has found something good to champion this time (Phil Rafuse, ibid.) We are looking at using this same technology on the Nautel XR-6 at WLTQ. I see no downside to it. 73, (Kevin Raper, KJ4HYD, CE WCKI WQIZ WLTQ, ibid.) Yes, Nautel is big on this technology too. Nautel comes from a land of historically high electricity rates (Phil Rafuse, PEI, ibid.) It looks like it will take about 5 KiloBucks to convert the XR-6. Not as expensive as I was expecting. 73, (Kevin Raper, KJ4HYD, CE WCKI WQIZ WLTQ, ibid.) Only possible downsides I could see if they used active carrier reduction on low modulation is it might "pump" a receiver's AGC that could cause distortion? Also wouldn't that reduce the quieting effect of the carrier on soft passages allowing more noise to mix in with the signal? Perhaps they have overcome this. I will see if I can hear WOR 710 at night if they are using this modulation scheme. I have heard Heathkit DX-60's on the air with carrier-controlled modulation and I thought they sounded lousy. I guess I am just skeptical until I actually ear it on the broadcast band. There is something to be said for the quieting effect of the carrier in noisy conditions. 73 (Todd WD4NGG Roberts, Nov 19, ibid.) Re 11-46: EMI/RFI BE GONE!!! So what do you plug into your new surge protector? Your radio, or all your computer stuff? Or both? Are the radios benefiting from this quiet connected to external antennas, or are these all just using their whip antennas? Curious if the EMI/RFI reduction is actually from in-line benefits, or from a reduction in noise radiation reaching the antenna. I see other brands in this price range that promise similar specs of surge protection and RFI reduction but I tend not to see a frequency range specified. If you can pass along a Woods / Coleman part number that would be helpful. Thanks! (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, NASWA yg via DXLD) My loaded inverted vee is a pretty quiet antenna to start with but it did not eliminate all the locally produced hash that seems to come through the power lines. I have all of my radio equipment hooked to the new surge protector and the noise through the hydro lines is pretty well gone. Woods makes a number of them in the range of model numbers 3665-581 through 585 (Mark Coady, ibid.) Sean Welsh let me know via the ODXA Facebook page that he purchased one on my recommendation and the noise he noticed on his Kenwood R- 5000 is all gone! (Coady, ODXA yg via DXLD) DX ENGINEERING'S NEW QSL CARD SCANNING KIT GIVES DXERS AN EASY WAY TO STORE AND DISPLAY QSL CARDS http://bit.ly/smOmoK (Via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, DXLD) POLICE DEPARTMENTS LOOK TO TUNE OUT SCANNER HOBBYISTS Please read before Santa brings that new Home Patrol scanner: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/11/20/police-departments-look-to-tune-out-scanner-hobbyists/?test=latestnews (via R. Smith, Nov 20, DXLD) A HAVEN FOR LOVERS OF THE ANALOG --- By JED LIPINSKI WHEN an insurance company declared the merchandise at Leeds Radio “not pilferable” last year, it meant that the store’s hundreds of thousands of analog electronic parts — all manufactured before 1968 — were unlikely to be stolen anytime soon. Richard Matthews, Leeds’s wild-haired owner and sole employee, agreed with the assessment. “Around here, the only people you could sell this stuff back to would be me and my friends,” he said, laughing. And yet Leeds, one of the oldest electronics stores in the country, has plenty of paying customers. Located at 68 North Seventh Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, two blocks from the Bedford Avenue stop of the L train, it attracts a steady stream of musicians, hi-fi aficionados, ham radio buffs and the kind of people who build Tesla coils in their basements. . . http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/nyregion/leeds-radio-is-a-haven-for-lovers-of-all-things-analog.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=print (via Brock Whaley for DXLD) NEW YORK'S RADIO ROW That article about Leeds Radio made mention of Radio Row, which got me to start nosing around: http://www.npr.org/programs/lnfsound/stories/020603.radiorow.html (John Figliozzi, Halfmoon, NY, NASWA yg via DXLD) 2009. “EN EL COMIENZO FUE LA RADIO”. EXPOSICIÓN 80 AÑOS DEL SODRE Nueva entrada en mi blog: "La Galena del Sur": http://lagalenadelsur.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/2009-en-el-comienzo-fue-la-radio-exposicion-80-anos-del-sodre/ En 2009, se hizo una exposición en el local de la Escuela de Bellas Artes, en la Avenida 18 de Julio, de Montevideo, conmemorativa del 80º aniversario del S.O.D.R.E, el instituto de radiodifusión estatal uruguayo. In 2009, an exhibition was presented at the School of Fine Arts in Montevideo, commemorating the 80th anniversary of SODRE, the Uruguayan state broadcasting institution. Photo gallery & folder for viewing. 73 (Horacio Nigro Geolkiewsky, Montevideo, Uruguay, Nov 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) WALDEN: NATIONAL TEST PROVED EAS ‘SORT OF’ WORKS Radio World By Leslie Stimson November 18, 2011 http://radioworld.com/article/walden-national-test-proved-eas-%E2%80%98sort-of%E2%80%99-works/24851 Sixty of the 63 Primary Entry Point stations “functioned according to plan” during the national EAS test while three didn’t; regulators are trying to figure out what didn’t work and why. That, says Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., is what representatives from FEMA and the FCC told him and three other members of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the House Commerce Committee during a private briefing on Thursday here in Washington. The subcommittee chair told reporters afterwards that the FCC has now heard from some 60% of stations; of that number, about 78% told the FCC they were able to receive and re-transmit the test. In Walden’s state of Oregon the test didn’t work; he said in response to my question that Oregon has no PEP station at present but is slated to get two, in Eugene and Portland, with construction to begin this winter. As we’ve reported, the PEP system is being expanded. Stations on the east side of Oregon actually received the alert from neighboring Idaho but the rest of Oregon got no alert, he said. Asked whether there was any commonality at the failure points, Walden said regulators are still evaluating what happened and would get back to the subcommittee about that. “You hope to never have to use the system, but if there comes a day where you have to use the system, we better make sure it works. What they’ve proven is it sort of works. That’s not good enough.” Walden, a former broadcaster, believes there will be another national test once more is known about what happened; he commended regulators for conducting the test. “Their report was very helpful and they answered most of our questions,” he said. Walden has not asked for a formal report on the findings but says regulators will keep in touch with the committee and says at some point he expects the gist of what occurred will be made public. He doesn’t think a hearing on the issue is necessary. “I think they’re on it. I think they get it. I think they want to make it work,” Walden said in response to my question about his overall reaction to what regulators were telling lawmakers. FEMA IPAWS Division Director and Project Manager Antwane Johnson and FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Chief Jamie Barnett briefed lawmakers, who, in addition to Walden, included Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Donna Christensen, D-V.I. and Anna Eshoo, D-Calif. (via Mike Terry, Nov 18, dxldyg via DXLD) Re 11-46: DXING THE NATIONWIDE EAS TEST, IMMINENT I was also surprised that the National EAS Test did not include activation of the NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio system. It would seem like an obvious system to tie into any sort of nationwide alert. I'm also not clear as to what it would take to trigger an actual EAS alert on a national or even regional basis. The system wasn't triggered on 9/11, nor have I ever heard it used during local disasters like Katrina, or the super-outbreak of tornadoes here last April. NOAA Weather Radio (on the other hand) gets a workout--and nearly every home here has one. 10 Years after 9/11 and millions and millions spent on improving warning and alert systems and this is the result? The thing that troubles me is I keep wondering why they set themselves up for something that they should have known would have been a large scale failure? Here's hoping we never need the real thing. 73, (Les Rayburn, N1LF, Nov 9, NRC-AM via DXLD) I did hear a NOAA weather station in the mix on one of the frequencies during the test. Wonder how it got there? (Brett Saylor, ibid.) Likely someone's automation wasn't set up properly and pulled in the weather alert process instead (Russ Edmunds, 15 mi NNW of Philadelphia, ibid.) Frederick R. Vobbe wrote: ``Huge failure in many states. With all the technology we have, I can't understand why this couldn't be pulled off. From what I hear, the results vary from state to state. Apparently Tennessee was OK for the most part. Ohio was hosed.`` From what I read, it didn't happen at all anywhere in Oregon, due to some kind of failure at the point where the alert was received by the state. I know there were problems in Georgia as well. Yes, it went pretty well in Nashville. There was some "phantom audio" (sounded like "printthru" on analog tape) and I think the first EOM data burst was truncated, but the audio message was easily intelligible and I think the small amount of noise was because we were relaying an AM station (using an antenna on a building full of computers; Even though the AM station in question was WSM, a mere ten miles away, I suspect the computers may actually radiate more than 50,000 watts(grin).) We were expecting myriad phone calls from viewers wanting to know what was up. We spent some time yesterday setting up a special voice mailbox explaining the situation & providing the number to staffers. As it turns out, we got: **ONE** call. Guy wanted to know when we were going to stop relaying C-SPAN. He insisted he didn't have cable. Weird. Can't vouch for how many stations failed to relay the test (the only station I personally monitored was our own). Stations are supposed to relay EAN (the code used for this test) without delay. (I mean, you can't hold the message & not relay it until after the commercial break. Coding delays in digital equipment are fine.) Relay delays are permissible for the regular monthly tests we've been running for years and for any other EAS message except EAN. I can't say I've heard from anyone outside Tennessee who thought the audio message was intelligible. One thing that's very different about this test is that the FCC has asked all stations to report their success (or lack thereof) in relaying this test. - I will be very surprised if anyone gets sanctioned for honestly reporting they tried & it didn't work. - I won't be too totally surprised if someone gets sanctioned for reporting it failed because their EAS gear was turned off/never configured/never ordered/they never troubleshot failures to receive the "regular" tests. - I will bet they'll do at least spot followups on those stations that don't report. And I'll bet someone, somewhere gets sanctioned for completely ignoring the process. Russ: the gear, if configured properly, is fully capable of handling automated operation. It simply interrupts the path from studio to transmitter as soon as the received message is complete, and directly feeds the transmitter with the data bursts, attention tone, and voice message. That said, it is quite possible to misconfigure the equipment (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, WSMV, ibid.) The current EAS system predates 9/11 - by a lot. That's a big piece of why some of these other things aren't tied in. In the event a national EAS alert were needed, the trigger would be in the White House. The EAS system was only ever designed to be national in scope (replacing CONELRAD for those old enough to remember that), and it has no provision for a regional activation. The regular tests we hear on our local stations are either locally generated, or in the case of some clusters, regionally (Russ Edmunds, 15 mi NNW of Philadelphia, Grid FN20id, ibid.) I`ve never worked at a station where they were regionally generated. The way I read the EAS Rules, the printout has to include the call letters of the station. Every station I've ever worked at had their tests LOCALLY generated. Now, sometimes if there's 2, 3 or 4 stations in a building, you can run a test on MULTIPLE stations locally at once (Paul Walker, PA, ibid.) I think the test was a disaster. The way it sounded on the air i.e. tones over badly compressed audio and other things. This even made ABC Radio news. it was the top story during the 6 pm Eastern standard time newscast yesterday. A representative of FEMA even publicly commented and in his own way acknowledged that they had problems yesterday. You know there will be many meetings and evaluations about this for a long time (Larry Stoler, ibid.) Larry, ABC Radio News actually had it as a story at the top of hour for several hours beginning at 3 pm Eastern. I wouldn't rate the test as a total disaster; but close. The general idea worked but beyond that, it failed. There obviously needs to be better co-ordination (Paul Walker, ibid.) The E*B*S was only ever designed to be national in scope (it was, basically, a nuclear attack warning). When EBS was converted to the current E*A*S, the protocol was designed to include regional & local activation. Each state is supposed to have a state EAS plan. You can read Tennessee's on http://www.tabtn.org/pdfs/EAS%20Plan%20TN.pdf The Tennessee plan says the following officials can activate EAS in Tennessee: National: President of the United States State: Governor Adjutant General of the Tennessee National Guard Director of the Tenn. Emergency Management Agency Local: Director of the local Emergency Management Agency Chairman of the County Commission Mayor Weather: NOAA for weather-related alerts only The Weather Service does frequently activate EAS on a regional or local (one county) basis. EAS is also frequently activated on a statewide basis for Amber Alerts. This is all a state function; the process may vary wildly in other states. ======================== Until yesterday, two types of EAS Test were required: - Required Weekly Tests: Run weekly, except during weeks when the Required Monthly Test is run. Originate at each station (which may be regional for "hubbed" stations) - Required Monthly Tests: Run monthly. Originate (at least in Tennessee) at the Tenn. Emergency Management Agency. **I believe** they're originated statewide in all states. Must be relayed by each station. Yesterday's test originated nationally -- by my understanding, with FEMA (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, ibid.) I found it interesting that on an aircheck of WFED-1500 Washington DC, they had that "print through" artifact, and I could even hear what sounded like headers/eom and alert tones in the background. Which made me wonder how many places the message had been relayed before WFED got it. Our LP-1 didn't react at all to the alert. My logs show the LP-2 is where I received the message from. At one of our other stations, they have both the old Sage and new DASDEC units hooked up. The Sage never reacted, the DASDEC did, and both monitored the same assignment. Makes me wonder, other than the "false" alert that Cheyenne Mountain sent one day, when was the last National Test? Does anyone remember? (lost credit to this item) You got more than we got in Ohio. We never heard the message. Where you hear the voice it was all white noise. Still, I wouldn't consider that a success. Sounded like there are technical issues to iron out with audio and (2) alert tones (Fred Vobbe, ibid.) I work for a station, WDDH-FM Saint Marys, PA that carries ABC Radio News and I recall hearing it from several hours. The idea behind this was a GOOD idea and the concept was good/worked, but where I think the EAS failed was from a technical standpoint. This is an audio clip from some Atlantic City, NJ stations: http://www.atlanticcityradio.com/spots/eas.mp3 However, that is EXACTLY how I heard it on our airwaves as I was preparing for my afternoon show (Paul Walker, ibid.) There's never been a national test of EAS, nor was there one of EBS. The last national test of any kind of emergency broadcasting system was Conelrad circa 1961. That's why yesterday - failures and all - was so important. 36 hours ago, most anyone connected to EAS knew (at least privately) that there were pieces of the system that wouldn't work when put to the test --- but they didn't know exactly which pieces those were. Now we know very specifically what's most broken: the initial audio feed from FEMA to the PEP stations, in particular. And now the industry can set about fixing those specific problems in ways they couldn't have done 36 hours ago. s (Scott Fybush, NY, ibid.) All we had in NW Ohio was white noise, like you would hear tuned to a blank spot on the FM dial. Nobody has been able to explain that yet. It apparently came to WSPD/WRVR-FM that way from WNCI and the State of Ohio. But we also had a lot of boxes not react, one of which was our LP-1 (Fred Vobbe, Lima, ibid.) As a DX'er who also works directly with local, state, and federal agencies involved in emergency management, I think the test is long overdue. Like Scott, I'm encouraged that some of the problems identified yesterday may be addressed and corrected. But the larger issues that plagued the test have little hope of being resolved, and in fact, were caused by some of the various agencies involved in the test. Deregulation and the changes of media ownership rules that allowed conglomerates to own several stations in each market have led to a situation where radio is virtually useless to their communities during a disaster. Most stations are 100% automated these days, or nearly so. And those who are not have minimal staff or reporting abilities especially outside of business hours. In April after our wave of tornadoes, "live" coverage the night of the event was limited to one station (an urban format) who was basically doing a call-in show trying to answer questions from listeners, and swapping survivor stories. For live coverage during disasters, television is basically the only local broadcast medium left -- and the transition to digital decommissioned 90% of the inventory of portable, battery powered receivers. "Emergency management" clearly isn't a priority compared to lobbying efforts from the media companies. EAS failures are common at radio stations due to poorly maintained equipment, engineering "staff" who are managing several stations at once on skeleton budgets, and lax enforcement of stations who fail to run required tests. Social media and other forms of communication are helping to fill the void, but the loss of ability to centralize and "control" the messaging is making it a difficult medium for EM types to incorporate. I mourn the loss of local-community based radio both as an entertainment and cultural touchstone, but more importantly because it's loss has a high price in the preparedness of our nation. Maybe this test will help to wake up regulators, and the pendulum can swing back towards some common sense government regulation of a public resource. Media ownership restrictions, and Equal Time programming requirements better served the public interest, and made us a better democracy. Period. The wisdom of our media forefathers needs to be revisited, and embraced. 73, (Les Rayburn, N1LF, ibid.) Even Television news isn't local in many areas because in many areas the only 'local' stations aren't close enough to truly cover these areas. Larger market station do a much better job of covering the events in their metros, but it still isn't enough. Happily, in many smaller markets there still are some locally-owned radio stations who do try to provide solid local coverage, and many succeed, to I don't think we're at the point where it's just TV and social media. The idea of relying only on social media in such cases is symptomatic of what's gone wrong with broadcast media. But in that situation, if there are power outages massive enough to knock out WiFi, then you're back to nothing (Russ Edmunds, 15 mi NNW of Philadelphia, ibid.) Russ makes some valid points. Many local radio stations continue to provide outstanding coverage. I vividly remember listening to WWL 870 on the night after Katrina came ashore. Their coverage was wall to wall, breaking news stuff. The next night, I was literally in New Orleans, covering the disaster first-hand. WWL remained an important source of local information for weeks after landfall. But that is the exception and certainly not the rule. The Alabama Super-Outbreak last April produced destruction on a par with anything I've ever seen, and local radio coverage of the event during the storms, and their immediate outbreak was non-existent. It would be possible to prove it, but I'm certain that lives were lost that could have been saved with more effective radio reporting of the warnings. Even "simul-cast" of TV coverage is helpful; and yet only two stations in the Birmingham metro routinely do this. But the net effect of media ownership rules being relaxed, then virtually abolished. The removal of equal-time programming rules has almost completely destroyed any notion of an informed democracy, political discourse, and civil discussion. Instead we have conservative talk radio that borders on hate speech, virtually no radio programming from the left, and nothing that resembles civil discourse. Shaped largely by our media experiences, we have the most polarized electorate in history. People "feed" their own viewpoints by consuming media directed at that viewpoint. Fox News for the Right, MSNBC for the Left. No one makes an effort to listen to the other sides idea, and freed from the regulatory requirement to do so, stations pander to which ever audience plays best locally. It's good for the bottom line but bad for Democracy. The impact of these decisions on our ability to warn our citizens, manage disasters, and serve our communities clearly wasn't part of the thought process. Contributions and lobbying efforts by the large media companies drove the process, and the wisdom of having multiple points of view represented on the public airwaves was under-valued. What was lost in the discussion was a fundamental truth. The "airwaves" are not owned by the stations. They are a public resource, and their use is allowed by law and international treaty. Entire business empires have been built on their access to this spectrum, and the regulation of it's use. The "trade" they made for this resource is to provide for the public good. It's interesting that those who so staunchly supported deregulation and the needs of a "free market competitive environment" would scream and cry at any attempt to open up their spectrum to deregulation and unbridled competition. In fact they do every time a pirate station begins to gain any sort of meaningful listener base or selling ads. The test was a treat to DX, and did remind me of the newsreel clips of the Conelrad test in the 1960's. An important event in radio history, at a time where radio's role in our society seems to be diminishing. Perhaps it will serve to remind us all of how important "broadcasting" is, even in the age of narrowcasting (Les Rayburn, Director, High Noon Film, 130 1st Avenue West, Alabaster, AL 35007-8536, ibid.) I agree as to the media consolidation as a major part of this. But otherwise, I have to disagree. Doing my best to stay clear of the political issues, I must point out that when there was real political talk of a left nature (Air America), it failed rather miserably in the marketplace, that at least illustrates one reason why there isn't such today. People in this country and perhaps elsewhere have become less willing to think for themselves, check out facts for themselves and form opinions for themselves. Instead they adopt the opinions of others, and those others aren't only media personalities. I could speculate on some reasons why that might be, but there's not much point in trying to guess (Russ Edmunds, 15 mi NNW of Philadelphia, ibid.) One other thing to keep in mind is that many of the stations that carried Air America programming were on places that didn't have the greatest signals as opposed to the 50,000 watt blowtorches or were on graveyard frequencies (Larry Stoler, all: I see where Russ is coming from, but I think the widely touted failure of Air America in the marketplace ignores the fact by the time of it's launch, AM talk radio was already completely dominated by Conservative talk. There was no audience looking for an alternative. And resources were very scarce for a start-up venture to purchase sufficient promotion, or pockets deep enough to keep the programming on the air long enough to attract an audience. It's important to remember that the Majority doesn't need to have their rights protected. It is the Minority, and their rights that must be protected by force of law. It's the whole reason for our Constitution. Our system of government is NOT "majority rules", it is that all everyone is represented equally. It's not the rule of the mob, it's the rule of law. Russ is quite right that we all have the responsibility to be informed, by exploring all sides of important issues. But government has a role in mandating that the minority viewpoints are given equal time, especially when a public resource is being provided at no cost to the media companies who use it to sustain their business. The "airwaves" belong to us all, and I think it's high time that we took them back. It's shameful that in a market the size of Birmingham not one radio station was providing real time warnings and coverage of the biggest disaster the state has faced in perhaps 100 years. By regulation, that situation would not have been the case 25 or 30 years ago. Companies who own radio stations have an obligation to help protect the communities that operate in. Doing so isn't likely to be as profitable as automation; which is why government regulation has a role here. Plus DXing would be a lot more fun if radio had more of the local flavor that it used to enjoy. Personally I'd settle for having half the stations in Birmingham that we have now, if it meant more local flavor, news, and community service. And it's not like it would put anyone out of work. Most of the "stations" consist of little more than a computer, satellite receiver, and the sales office. 73, (Les Rayburn, N1LF, ibid.) In my suggestions to the State of Ohio I mentioned that an EAN test should be bi-yearly, and also the local EMAs and S.O. should initiate RWT and RMTs on a rotation basis. Here in Ohio most of our offices have equipment, but I doubt anyone knows much about operating it. In fact, when a certain Lima station did a news story about the EAS, they panned around the 911 dispatch center as part of the package, and there was a Sage Endec, with no power to it. It's nice to have the tools and technology, but it doesn't mean squat if you don't know how to work them, the equipment is malfunctioning, or there are no protocols on how it's used (Fred Vobbe, ibid.) Radio stations do not have an OBLIGATION to protect the communities they operate in. They have an obligation to SERVE the communities they're in. But that rule is so wide open, it`s up to anyone`s interpretation. That being said, good local radio does exist. Most of my career has been spent a LOCAL stations trying to make a difference by being active members of the community (Paul Walker, ibid.; all: NRC-AM via DXLD) ABOUT THE NATIONWIDE EAS TEST OF NOVEMBER 9, 2011 o FEMA's Manny Centeno talks about the first National EAS Test (but says little about their corrupted audio): http://tinyurl.com/RM-11-14-2011 o Sage details how its ENDECs responded: http://tinyurl.com/SAGE-EAS-Response o "Reviewing the National EAS Test," a San Diego SBE article: http://tinyurl.com/SanDiegoSBE-NationalEASreview o Where the EAS box is placed in your air chain is important. In Arbitron's view, according to Richard Rudman, the box should be placed after PPM encoding: http://eas.radiolists.net/arbitron-eas-and-ppm-encoding/ o Informal comment from a DE: "I noted that the National EAS Test actually sounded better on AM stations where most of the high frequency noise associated with the audio was not retransmitted. In some cases, the processing on FM stations made it nearly impossible to understand the audio." o Hacker reveals plan to occupy the airwaves by breaking into the EAS: http://tinyurl.com/HackingIntoEAS o "I Survived the National EAS Test" clothing, mugs etc.: http://www.cafepress.com/dd/61583833 FEMA NATIONWIDE EAS TEST WEBINAR NOVEMBER 29 FEMA will hold a webinar on Tuesday, November 29, from 11 AM to 12:30 PM PST "for a discussion with industry experts and leaders on the Nationwide EAS Test findings, lessons learned, observed technical challenges" etc. o Use Microsoft Live Meeting 2007 (this link will only be active the morning of November 29th): https://www323.livemeeting.com/cc/eiip/join?id=IPAWS&role=attend o Live Meeting instructions are at: http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/ipaws/livemtginstruct.pdf FEMA says, "Please note that if you have Live Meeting Client correctly installed, you do not need a pass code or username." (All: CGC Communicator Nov 22 via Kevin Redding, ABDX yg via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled. The period began with quiet conditions. Activity levels increased to quiet to unsettled for a brief time on 15 November, but soon returned to quiet levels and remained there for the remainder of the period. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 23 NOV-19 DEC 2011 Solar activity is expected to be at predominately low levels through the period. There is a slight chance, however, for isolated M-class activity. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels the entire period. The geomagnetic field is expected to be generally quiet for most of the outlook period, with the exception of 28 - 29 November when quiet to unsettled levels are expected due to a small, recurrent coronal hole high speed stream. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2011 Nov 22 1901 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # Product description and SWPC contact on the Web # http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2011-11-22 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2011 Nov 23 140 5 2 2011 Nov 24 145 5 2 2011 Nov 25 145 5 2 2011 Nov 26 155 5 2 2011 Nov 27 145 5 2 2011 Nov 28 150 7 3 2011 Nov 29 150 7 3 2011 Nov 30 155 5 2 2011 Dec 01 160 5 2 2011 Dec 02 160 5 2 2011 Dec 03 165 5 2 2011 Dec 04 165 5 2 2011 Dec 05 165 5 2 2011 Dec 06 165 5 2 2011 Dec 07 165 5 2 2011 Dec 08 160 5 2 2011 Dec 09 160 5 2 2011 Dec 10 155 5 2 2011 Dec 11 150 5 2 2011 Dec 12 140 5 2 2011 Dec 13 135 5 2 2011 Dec 14 135 5 2 2011 Dec 15 135 5 2 2011 Dec 16 135 5 2 2011 Dec 17 135 5 2 2011 Dec 18 135 5 2 2011 Dec 19 135 5 2 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1592, DXLD) ###